Sustainable solutions to meet growing energy demands: Welcome back to ‘Science For Everyone’, ABP Live’s weekly science column. Last week, we explained what different urine colours tell us about kidney health, and if the detoxification organ is affected due to some disease. This week, we discuss sustainable solutions and strategies that must be implemented to tackle climate change, reduce the environmental impact, promote renewable energy sources, and meet growing energy demands.
The world has reached the stage where climate action must no longer be limited to mere words on paper, or policies implemented by a country just to prove that they care about the environment. A climate policy is of no use unless the country or government fulfils the pledges made while signing a particular treaty.
Scientists perform extensive climate research to show that climate change is real, but the truth is that the world no longer needs proof of the fact that environmental degradation is occurring, but a reality check.
Climate denial is more detrimental to the environment than any anthropogenic activity that destroys natural resources. It is important for every person to accept that climate change is real before environmental degradation reaches the point of no return.
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Sustainable solutions and strategies to meet growing energy demands and reduce environmental degradation Some examples of sustainable solutions that can combat climate change and help meet growing energy demands include widespread deployment of green buses, use of renewable energy sources such as biofuels, solar and wind power, and green hydrogen, and development of green roofs in urban areas, among others.
Biofuels as alternatives to fossil fuels
The world must not just thrive to prevent deforestation, but make efforts to promote afforestation. Therefore, people must choose alternatives to fuelwood to reduce pressure on forests. Biofuels, which are liquid, solid or gaseous fuels produced from biomass, or organic matter, are key to combating climate change.
For instance, biomass such as sugar cane, corn, charcoal, or wood chips can be converted to bioethanol, and organic waste can be decomposed anaerobically to obtain biogas.
“The use of biogas in rural areas not only meets local energy requirements of people but also allows the passive restoration of forests in neighbouring areas. Other alternatives to fuelwood also reduce pressure on adjacent forests, allowing their recovery. Such initiatives increase access to energy and allow forest recovery,” Dr Meghna Agarwala, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Ashoka University, told ABP Live.
Not only should the people living in rural areas be encouraged to use clean fuels such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and biogas for cooking, but must also be trained on how to extract biogas and perform bio-composting using scientific methods.
“Usage of energy generated from renewable sources, such as, solar and wind, across industries and households is one of the key driving factors towards a sustainable future. The penetration of clean fuels such as LPG and biogas (particularly in rural areas) to households belonging to the lower economic strata is crucial. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to achieve the same by providing LPG connections to households below poverty line (BPL). Supporting rural households to implement robust scientific methods and equipment to extract biogas and enable bio-composting is important,” said Dr Krishna Malakar, Assistant Professor (Climate Policy), Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras.