On April 25, India met the peak power demand of 256 gigawatts (GW). This was the highest ever recorded on a single day during the ongoing scorching summer. Of the 256 GW, solar energy contributed 81 GW at 12.30 pm and 57 GW at 3.38 pm. India is in the top three countries to utilise solar energy. But at what cost? Under the pretext of ‘development’ large infrastructural projects are undertaken resulting in enhanced heat dissipation and temperature. Because of the rise in temperature, use of air-conditioners and air-coolers increases which deteriorates the environment. Buildings may use green technology but these pale in comparison to the natural cooling induced by trees and plants. Thousands of age-old trees are sacrificed and as compensation plants are grown, at faraway places from the site from where the trees were cut. The plants would take years to become trees. By then India may become the number one country to tap and use solar energy but it would be too late to reverse the effects of climate change, reduced monsoon, and onset of drought and famine. A prudent mix of development and a consideration for the environment and people is needed.
