Something I don’t think a lot of leftists/environmentalists consider when discussing energy and climate and clean energy and all that is how we need to change consumption and upgrade production of energy. Because yes, wind and solar are better than oil and more sustainable. But there’s big drawbacks.
Wind and solar in their current state take up tons of land and other resources. This disrupts the natural environments and can sometimes be destructive to indigenous land in a manner not unlike oil production. And we don’t know how well we can maintain enough energy production in these manners without destroying the environment in ways other than global warming. We need better methods of getting clean energy. For example, solar glass on any homes with windows so materials and land used aren’t as high.
But still, that doesn’t solve things.
Electricity is a good thing. It allows us to stay more connected to the rest of the world, it powers important medical equipment and production equipment, etc. but we need to use it less. Make homes that manage heating and cooling more naturally, so you don’t need electricity for that. If the building isn’t equipped with that, employ the many electricity-free options for heating and cooling. Avoid using electric lights if you’re able. Use natural lighting from windows and allow your body to follow the natural circadian rhythms we had before electric lights changed it all. If you do need light, try non electric lighting, like candles!
Sustainable energy production is important, but how we consume it is too. We can’t live in harmony with the earth if we’re just trying to find ways to use its resources. We need to secede back to the environment, do things for it’s good above ours sometimes, because in the long run that’s the best for everyone.
