Green Energy

Green energy is a term used by some environmentalists to describe what they deem to be environmentally friendly sources of power and energy. In particular green energy must be renewable and non-polluting.

Green energy includes natural enegetic processes which can be harnessed with little pollution. Geothermal power, wind power, small-scale hydropower, solar power, biomass power, tidal power and wave power fall under such a category. Some versions may also include power derived from the incineration of waste.

Somewhat controversial is nuclear energy's claim to be green. It is possibly sustainable, arguably renewable and produces virtually no atmospheric pollution during the energy production stage. However nuclear waste is a pollutant, as well as the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated by the large amount of energy required by transport, mining and pre- and post-production.