Conundrums of Clean Energy

In Glasgow, during the COP 26 climate talks in November last year, emphasis on clean energy was on the agenda for many countries. World leaders of more than 50% of countries present in Scotland agreed and pledged to adopt clean technologies during this crucial decade.

Shifting to clean fuels and technology is essential and better for the environment, however, is it an easy task ahead? Let’s find out about Clean Energy and the conundrums it unfolds!

What is Clean Energy?
Clean Energy is a form of energy that does not emit carbon while in use or after use. You may ask what is carbon and why reducing carbon emissions matters? Carbon is a greenhouse gas, and like all other greenhouse gases, if it is frequently emitted into the environment, it can result in devastating unrepairable effects like climate change, global warming and depletion of the ozone layer. Hence using clean energy has become extremely important in today’s world. Wind energy, Hydro energy, Solar energy, etc. are various types of clean energy.

But does the story stop here?
No, there are also some forms of clean and renewable energy that, for some reason, still harm the environment even if they are not emitting carbon. For example, hydropower is a clean form of energy, but obtaining this energy often requires heavy infrastructural activities like building dams. Hydropower dams are often built on rivers after removing human settlements and clearing land for its formation. Clearing lands here ultimately leads to deforestation which further adversely affects the environment. So Hydropower, which is a form of clean energy can still harm the environment and cannot be called ‘Green Energy”.