Invisible Energy

Ok, now is the time to get down and dirty and talk about something that has bothered me for a while. The idea that using electricity is the best way to save the planet and reduce the amount of pollutants in the air. The gloves come off for this topic. I have a major and earth shattering statement...or rather question...Where do you think electricity comes from??????? Hydro power stations such as the Hover dam which change the landscape forever, yes. Wind power, which could slow winds and cause a shift in the weather patterns, yes. Solar power which uses more energy to produce the solar panels then the panel will ever create, yes. Nuclear plants creating thousands of pounds of unusable radioactive waste, yes. Coal fired power plants belching smoke into the air, yes. So are we not trading one waste for another? Are we not following the "not in my backyard" or "I can't see it, so it must not be real" thinking? Most of the world runs on electricity and this goes back to my basic principle...if we want it then we have to give up something. Air, weather patterns, rivers and streams, contamination of landfills, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am writing you on my computer which uses electricity with the radio on in the background. I love electricity, but I am not complaining about the byproducts of producing it. I am realistic in thinking that the energy had to be created somewhere and converted in electricity. So the next time you plug in your cell phone to charge or enjoy air conditioning remember the other side of that wire is something causing damage to our environment. It is a sad reality of physics, but if you don't like it, make candles and quit using electricity! Until next time...