Energy and the environment
Power generation, transport and the consumption of conventional energies have an impact on the environment, as do all human activities. It could be said that these activities are the cause of some of the greatest environmental problems the planet is experiencing, such as climate change and acid rain.
We cannot say that renewable energy does not have these effects, because it does, however they are infinitely less and always reversible. Energy consumption, including transport, is currently the main source of greenhouse gas and acidifying pollutant emissions. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), emissions of these acidifying contaminants have fallen significantly thanks to the adoption of cleaner fuels and treatment of combustion gases. But until the leading role played by fossil fuels in the energy basket is reduced, greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change, seem bound to increase.
Greater energy efficiency and an increased use of renewable energies are seen as part of the solution by the EEA.
