Are We Heading For An Environmental Apocalypse? Here Are 4 Myths You Probably Believed

The debate over the environment is a controversial one with opposing sides throwing shade at arguments for or against green living and environmental sustainability.

Here are 4 green myths that are further from the truth:

Myth 1: We have reached a point of no-return when it comes to climate change.

The discovery of the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica had caused major concern in the scientific community with scientists fearing that this hole may not be able to recover.

Now thanks to technology and international cooperation between Governments worldwide, the hole is healing itself. Over 300 scientists at the United Nations’ conference on ozone depletion had concluded that the ozone layer is on track to be in full recovery by the year 2050. This is due to the 1987 Montreal Protocol where countries around the world erected laws regulating the use of ozone-depleting chemicals.

Myth 2: There are very little renewable energy options.

When it comes to sustainable energy, the first things that come to mind are solar power, wind, and electric cars. The truth of the matter is that there are many forms of sustainable energy like torrefied wood pellets, a potential direct replacement for coal; the harnessing of ocean waves to generate electricity; and, converting plastic waste into biofuel.

More renewable energy sources are being discovered every day with continued research and development and it’s only a matter of time technology catches up to harness this infinite resource.

Myth 3: We’d have to eliminate all ‘dirty energy’ to even have an effect on environmental recovery.

It may be that CO2 levels are still increasing but research into new technologies that includes advanced manufacturing of fuels, vehicle and building design, renewable power and energy storage, have made tremendous progress over the years. This would mitigate the effects of global warming, and encouraged environmentally-friendly material design.

Myth 4: Scientists think we have reached a point of no return.

The International Energy Agency in 2015 stated that if all the major economic powerhouse enacted more initiatives to develop clean energy sources, emissions from greenhouse gas could peak by 2020 – a decade earlier than previously forecast.

Renewable energy sources like solar power and wind are becoming more accessible and more affordable. This is reflected in the growing number of vehicle owners opting for electric cars with sales rising in 2014 by 27 percent over the preceding year.

Slowly but surely, we will eventually have a greener Earth to call home.