ENERGY

2. What kind of alternative energy produces more pollution in your country? It is common to think that when regarding renewable energy, we speak about non polluting energy, without considering important issues such as the process of obtaining these energies. It is the energy source that is renewable, not the way used to get it; besides, being renewable does not necessarily mean being eco- friendly and being eco- friendly does not always equate to being renewable. Obtaining energy produces a degree of environmental impact in all cases. Among the so-called renewable energy sources, those most common in Spain are hydro, solar and wind energy. As a result of these being the most common, they are also the ones that cause more pollution in our country. Hydro- electric power, especially if generated in large dams, causes loss of biodiversity, and floods in areas with a rich cultural heritage or a beautiful landscape, such as the flooding of entire villages. Solar power is among the least harmful energies, except for the debate generated about photovoltaic electricity because of the large amount of energy needed to produce photovoltaic panels. Wind energy causes a visual impact on the landscape, low frequency noise and has a negative effect on birds, as they sometimes are trapped by the wind generators.