this post was submitted on 24 May 2024
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Realistically, it's not gonna happen.
Energy usage is going to increase (quite a lot, if you ask me) in the future due to low-cost solar power. But also, I have to say, that's a good thing. Solar power has almost no environmental impact at all, and if you can't cherish that, but still doom into depression, then I would recommend reconsidering your lifestyle and maybe talk to a therapist.
The solar panels in my area are often in empty fields that could have been forests, farms, or houses with panels on the roofs. The panels still contain minerals mined from the earth, which has an impact. Broken panels will still have to be disposed of safely and ideally recycled, either way creating an impact.
If we let the rules of captialism continue to control our mindset of course we will continue to use more and more energy, just like companies expect more and more growth and profits.
Solar panels consist mostly of Silicon, which is the most abundant material in earth's crust. There's really no "mineral" whose mining causes fewer problems. And i put "mineral" in quotes because it's not your typical mineral that you have to dig up to use.
Also, solar panels are entirely non-toxic, making their safe disposal a non-problem.
My God, they cut down forests, destroyed farms, and tore down houses to build those solar panels?! Or were the empty fields they were in just empty beforehand? So despite that land being put to good use, you're upset because.... What?