As the world shifts to green energy, many new business chances appear under the idea of “green and sustainable” technology. But this trend can backfire if people lack the right strategies and a clear understanding of how energy changes form and how thermodynamics works.

Most power plants only reach about 40% efficiency. When extra energy converters are added, more energy is lost instead of saved. Each converter works like a heat engine that releases heat because of its limited efficiency. This wasted heat raises the overall entropy.

Any technology that uses energy has at least one part that works like a heat engine. It takes energy from fuel, uses some of it to do useful work, and releases the rest as heat or waste materials from the fuel conversion process.

Apart from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the heat released into the environment is another main cause of global warming. This heat depends on how efficient the energy system is. If we aim to reduce heat emissions, we can achieve three things at once: lower energy use (EU), cut energy waste (EW), and improve energy efficiency (EE).

Global warming happens because of both the heat produced and the by-products of fuel burning, such as GHG from fossil fuels, and waste from geothermal or nuclear sources. Hydrogen fuel gives off cleaner by-products like water, but making it can still waste energy, especially when electricity is used inefficiently.

Technology has greatly improved our lives. However, any technology that uses energy will still produce heat and waste, which contribute to the energy crisis and climate change.

Some inventions use very little energy and create almost no harmful waste, such as catalytic converters for air and filters for water. Yet, making these technologies may still involve energy use and pollution. When they reach the end of their life, they can also turn into hazardous waste.

Even renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and marine systems require raw materials from the Earth, such as rare earth materials, to build their devices. These materials are limited. So, while green technology may not be fully “green,” its impact can be reduced by making it stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting.

We may not be able to avoid using technology, but we can reduce our use of energy-hungry ones and choose greener options instead. When developing green energy solutions, it is important to cut down not only greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also the release of heat. This helps slow global warming by using less energy and improving efficiency wherever possible.

As we move toward green energy, we must also make sincere, long-term efforts to reduce the extraction of high-carbon resources from nature. This includes cutting down the production and burning of fuels that release greenhouse gases (GHG).

The best strategy is to use green energy directly from nature — such as solar, wind, hydro, or ocean power. We should convert only what we need into electricity and store any extra energy in efficient, non-chemical storage systems, like green batteries, fuel cells, or hydrogen. Conventional batteries have short lifespans and create harmful chemical waste, so they cannot be considered truly green. Hydrogen can serve as a good energy storage option, but it is only “green” if it is made using renewable sources such as solar, wind, or ocean energy. Hydrogen made from electricity, like any battery, is only a secondary or backup source, not a main green energy source. Ideally, green hydrogen should be produced directly at hydroelectric power plants.

Other methods that rely on burning carbon-based materials or using limited underground resources are not sustainable or green, as they emit GHG and depend on depleting natural deposits. We must find better ways to capture energy from nature efficiently and with minimal infrastructure. The goal is to gather just enough energy for our needs — not more than necessary — while using less energy overall to improve efficiency and reduce heat, emissions, and waste.

The discussion above shows that we must always consider climate change when developing green energy, and vice versa. Both are closely linked because the heat produced by technology affects local and global temperatures. In recent years, many natural disasters have occurred due to climate change, reminding us to reflect on the impact of the technologies we use.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are molecules with high heat capacity, such as NO, NO₂, and SO₂. Carbon-based gases like CO and CO₂ are not the only causes of climate change, though they are the most common by-products of burning fossil fuels. Efforts to remove CO and CO₂ from the air and return carbon to nature require technology that also consumes energy and produces heat. Whenever possible, it is better to let nature carry out the decarbonisation process naturally.

If we are not careful in creating, managing, and using green technology, we might make things worse instead of solving the energy–climate problem. Poorly designed solutions can lead to new, hidden issues. For instance, we often assume that recycling is always green — but is it? Think about the greenhouse gases and heat produced by a lorry making a trip to collect cardboard for recycling, compared to simply burning the cardboard locally to generate heat or electricity. Also, how much energy does recycling require compared to simply reusing the material in a different way?

Everyone can use artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies with sensors to manage energy more wisely. For example, vehicle owners can lower fuel use in several simple ways:

• Reduce weight: Avoid carrying unnecessary items.

• Plan routes efficiently: Choose the best routes and timing to save time and fuel.

• Use less braking: When driving downhill, use gravity and momentum instead of braking.

• Turn off the engine when idle: Prevent fuel wastage when the vehicle is not moving.

• Maintain vehicles well: Regularly lubricate wheels and engine parts to reduce friction.

We need a clear and practical plan to shift the transportation sector from petrol and diesel to solar-electric power. A good starting point would be electric motorcycles or mopeds, which are already common in countries like China.

At the same time, a fuel efficiency plan could focus on research, development, and maintenance for cleaner and more efficient engines — especially in commercial vehicles such as vans, trucks, and lorries that release black smoke.

To avoid serious harm to the planet, it is vital to understand and apply true green and sustainable principles. We must be mindful of how we design and use technology and act as responsible global citizens. Investing in technologies that can recycle excess heat with the help of AI and smart information–communication systems (ICT) can save significant amounts of energy and help reduce global warming.

Nature offers us free resources. With efficient and durable technology, we can continuously harness only what we need — not what we want — to ensure affordable and sustainable energy for everyone.