"From Fossil Fuel to Clean/Green Energy"
May month means heat exhaustion. The increasing amount of heat is making all life chaotic. The main cause of heat i.e. global warming, has become not only a national but also a global problem. The extent of which is increasing day by day. Due to which there is a rise in sea level, increase in natural disasters, decrease in agricultural production - crops are affected, and new diseases emerge.
The cause of increasing global warming is fossil fuel. Which is used in large quantities. Also called fossil fuels. (Like coal, petroleum and gas) based energy is now becoming a threat to the environment and atmosphere day by day. For centuries, coal, petroleum and natural gas have provided us with the world's energy.
But everyone knows that this source is limited and it will end one day. And it creates excessive pollution. In which carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide and methane are the main sources of greenhouse gases. Which have become the main causes of climate change, air pollution and destruction of nature, surface heating. Now a renewable energy has become necessary to address all these problems. In such a situation, moving towards clean energy i.e. clean energy has become a necessity of the time. In many countries, this energy production method is also changing rapidly.
Developed and developing countries have set a target that by 2030 they will reduce global temperature by 2.5 to 3 degrees Celsius. But for this, greenhouse gas emissions will have to be reduced by about 45% by 2030 and reach zero carbon by 2050. India is the third largest energy consumer. It has taken many steps towards energy transition.
In which the target is to reduce 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2070 and achieve the net zero target. In India, energy production from coal was 68% in 2010. Which has become 55% in 2020 and 49% in 2024. And now the target has been set to bring it down to 35% by 2035. This is possible only when the sources of energy production are changed. So now I am talking about how to move towards clean energy.
There are many types of clean energy. Such as solar energy in which energy is obtained directly from the sun's rays. In which solar panels on the roof are becoming more popular. The second is wind energy which is useful in coastal and high-speed areas. States like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are leading in wind energy. The third is hydroelectricity or hydro power where energy is obtained from dams.
The fourth is bioenergy which is obtained from sources like agricultural waste and cow dung. Which is very useful for rural areas. The fifth is green hydrogen which produces hydrogen gas by splitting water using electricity through latest technology. Which is a future option for heavy industries.
If we use clean energy, what are the benefits? One of which is that it is renewable and lasts for a long time. There will be a huge reduction in carbon emissions. It will be available locally and there will be self-reliance for energy. New jobs will be created and a new economy will be created in the Renewable Energy Sector.
Today the whole world is facing the serious consequences of climate change. Because the amount of carbon dioxide is increasing day by day. Then economic considerations are emerging to give impetus in a new direction. Green Economy. This model not only works towards environmental relief but also economic development.
The question is what is a green economy? Green economy means an economic model that reduces environmental risks, reduces carbon emissions, protects natural resources, and along with this provides new opportunities for employment and development. This economic model does not only look at profit, but also makes "nature and human welfare" the main issue.
For example, European countries have set a target of zero emissions by 2050 under a project called "European Green Deal". After that, China is the world's largest solar panel producer and has promised to become carbon zero by 2060. In 2019, the Indian government launched the Kusum Yojana for farmers. The aim of which was to provide solar-powered irrigation pumps to farmers.
People are becoming victims of new diseases due to increasing pollution. If we switch to clean energy, there can be health benefits. Due to the reduction in pollution, respiratory diseases can also be reduced, it is possible that clean air like villages can also be seen in cities. But it is possible that excessive initial investment can be a barrier to starting such projects in some areas. But if a PPP model (Public Private Partnership) is created between government and private companies, this problem can be overcome.
Energy transition is no longer an option but an imperative. If we want to face the climate crisis, achieve energy security and move towards sustainable development, the only way is to move away from fossil fuels and adopt clean energy. Energy change is a change in lifestyle.
This change will not only help save the environment but will also lay the foundation for economic development and a sustainable future. Moving from fossil fuels to clean energy is a long journey, but it is a life-giving one for both humanity and the planet. The real future will belong to those who make energy greener and cleaner.
@ Bhautik Thummar