Energy and environment are topics on the rise and can walk together. After all, who has never heard that we should not leave the light on because this is bad for nature? If you want to know why these statements are so common, and how we can consume energy without harming the environment, you have come to the right place.
We, from Polyexcel, will explain why energy and environmental management are mixed, and what is the real impact that we, humans, cause on nature. To learn how energy can be more friendly to our planet, read on!
Energy sources
Nowadays, the human being has a selection of energy sources that provide electricity for a large part of the world population. In Brazil, people rely on the energy mix, responsible for lighting environments and making cars run daily.
We can separate the energy mix into renewable sources, well-known for creating energy that does not pollute the environment, and non-renewable ones, famous for being harmful to nature. However, that is not quite how things work.
Renewable energy sources
When we talk about renewable energy sources, we are referring to those that, as they are used, are also replaced by nature, becoming inexhaustible. Among the so-called “environmental energy”, we can highlight:
- hydraulic energy;
- solar energy;
- wind energy;
- geothermal energy;
- biomass energy.
Non-renewable energy sources
Non-renewable energy sources are not easily replenished by nature. Most of them take millions of years to form, and the impact of power generation through these means can be catastrophic. As examples, we can mention:
- petroleum;
- coal;
- natural gas;
- nuclear energy.
Brazilian energy mix
According to data from the 2021 Brazilian Energy Balance, the most used energy source in Brazil is petroleum, which represents 33.1% of all production in the country. Then, come sugarcane derivatives, with 19.1%, in second, and hydroelectric energy, with 12.6%, in third place.
Considering all energy sources in the country, Brazil has 45% of its internal supply based on renewable options, while the other 55% continue to come from sources with a greater impact on nature.
However, have you ever heard that Brazil is a hydroelectric power station country? So why does not the percentage of hydropower come first? This happens because the electrical mix is not synonymous with the energy mix.
The electrical mix also has to do with environment and energy, as it represents the source of the electric power we consume. Everything that is plugged into a socket or an electrical cable gets what it needs from the mix.
Brazil is a renewable country when we talk about the electrical matrix: 83% of the Brazilian electric power comes from renewable sources. Of these 83%, 65.2% come from hydroelectric power stations, 9.1% from biomass, and 8.8% from wind sources. So why do people have to worry about energy and environment?
Renewable sources and environmental concern
If you wonder how hydroelectric power harms the environment, even though it is a renewable source, it is important to understand that the harmful effects on nature are not always linked to the emission of pollutants. There are many ways humans can negatively impact the environment.
Hydroelectric power stations, for example, need to change the natural course of rivers and flood a large part of the surroundings to function. This directly influences the fauna and flora of the installation site.
Therefore, there is a global movement for the economics of energy & environmental policy, aiming to stop any kind of impact on nature, including the emission of harmful gases, the generation of waste, and the modification of the local fauna and flora. Nowadays, the sources that lead the title of “clean energy” are wind and solar.
According to studies, the three countries that currently invest the most in these renewable sources are China, the United States, and France. The G20, made up of several nations, including Brazil, also demonstrates constant concern for member countries to shift towards the relation between cleaner electrical energy generation and environment.
How can we change
As you have seen, energy and environment can go hand in hand. But for that, more sustainable actions need to be taken now. Otherwise, the environmental impact may be irreversible.
One of the important points is that those responsible for actions that harm nature are duly charged to present more sustainable plans. Government support for investment in clean energy is also a key part of the transition process.
Furthermore, the support for market competitiveness is one of the most effective ways to break the stigma that electric power harms the environment. Thereby, more alternatives can be presented so that everyone can benefit from sustainable energy.
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Polyexcel supports the cause between energy and environment. For this reason, we invest in sustainable actions and high-technologies to develop our polymeric compounds, highlighting our socio-environmental responsibility. Contact us!
