The world is in a process where the priority is to move away from fossil fuel-based energy. In this movement towards sustainability, there are two terms that tend to be confused: clean energy and green energy.
Although they may seem synonymous, each one represents very different concepts. Understanding them individually is essential to make informed and responsible decisions in this matter.
What is green energy?
In simple terms, green energy is the most natural energy that exists. It is called that because it comes from renewable sources that respect the planet’s balance. Examples of this type of energy include the sun, wind, water, or geothermal heat.
What ensures the “green” nature of these sources is that they do not generate waste that harms the environment, such as toxic substances or polluting gases.
However, not everything that appears “green” truly is. For example, biofuels like ethanol, although produced from plants, require intensive cultivation that can lead to deforestation or the use of pesticides that harm the soil.
On the other hand, a solar panel that captures energy from the sun and transforms it into electricity without emitting smoke or polluting the air is considered green. The same goes for a wind turbine that, simply by turning with the gusts of wind, can power hundreds of homes without burning fuels.
What is clean energy?
Green energy should not be confused with clean energy. The key is in the word “clean.” This type of energy is defined by not producing pollutants during its use. That is, an energy source can be clean without necessarily being green.
A good example of this is nuclear energy. The electricity produced in nuclear power plants does not directly harm the environment because it is generated without emitting carbon dioxide. However, it is not considered green as it produces radioactive waste that is difficult to manage.
The same goes for carbon capture and storage technologies. Although they help reduce pollution, they are not based on renewable sources and therefore cannot be considered “green”.
A subtle difference
So, where is the difference? To distinguish both terms easily, look at two factors: the origin and the environmental impact. Green energy always comes from renewable sources, such as the sun or wind, while clean energy can come from any source, such as nuclear, as long as it does not directly pollute.
Regarding the environmental impact, green energy not only avoids polluting but also protects the ecosystem as a whole. Clean energy, on the other hand, focuses on minimizing emissions and waste but may cause other collateral effects.
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