ogaart, P. (2023, January 16). The potential for sustainable hydropower. Nature.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023, from https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-022-00018-9
The development of hydropower, a renewable energy source, has sparked controversy due to its environmental and societal impacts. To address climate change, low-emission and renewable energy options like hydropower are essential. However, their expansion should consider not only technical constraints but also economic, social, and environmental factors. Recent research by Rongrong Xu and colleagues assessed global rivers to identify unused, environmentally and socially viable hydropower locations. Their findings reveal that much of the theoretical hydropower potential has already been exploited or is unfeasible, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessments that consider sustainability and impact, facilitating informed energy policy decisions.
This research is important because it addresses the transition to renewable energy sources while analyzing the stability of different methods. In the article, people are not looking past the damage that hydropower can put on the environment. This article emphasizes the need for environmental-friendly energy solutions. These policies not only benefit our environment but also enhance the well-being of our society, contributing to a more resilient and ecologically-aware future.
I also wonder what the impact on ecosystems would look like with large-scale hydropower. As we’ve seen with the sockeye salmon, they don’t survive going through them often. But then again we saw there are innovations being put in place to help transport organisms across dams. I agree that policy is a big part of the process essential for achieving a large-scale change. What exactly do you mean by much of the theoretical hydropower already being exploited?
Thanks for reading! This is a line that was said in the article. I think what they are saying is that most of the potential ares for hydropower are already being used in other ways or in non sustainable ways.