Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 27: Experts in Jammu and Kashmir have called for an urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy sources. The transition, they said, will ensure sustainable development and effectively combat the growing threat of climate change in the region.
Firdous Ahmad, an Executive Engineer in Jal Shakti Department, said there are severe environmental consequences of continued dependence on fossil fuels.
He said the excessive burning of coal, oil and gas to meet energy demands is causing irreversible damage to nature and disturbing the ecological balance.
“Due to burning of fossil fuels for energy requirements, we are harming nature and our environment. The rising levels of pollution, changing weather patterns and increasing frequency of extreme events are clear indications that our energy practices are unsustainable,” he said.
The Executive Engineer said adopting green, clean and renewable energy is no longer a choice but a necessity. “We must move towards green, clean and renewable energy to save life. This transition is crucial not only for protecting the environment but also for safeguarding public health and future generations,” he added.
Dr Mudasir Ahmad, an environmental expert, said that Jammu and Kashmir, with its vast natural potential, is well-positioned to harness renewable energy. “The region has significant scope for solar, wind, hydro and even tidal energy, which can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions,” he said.
Mudasir said that there is a need to change our energy consumption to renewable sources like solar, wind, tidal and hydro so that carbon emissions can be reduced. This will save us from disasters due to pollution and global warming, he said.
Experts believe that increased use of clean energy in J&K can help address local challenges such as glacier melt, erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells and depleting water resources that directly affect the region’s agriculture, horticulture and drinking water supply.
They said that investments in renewable energy can generate employment, promote energy security and contribute to long term sustainable development. Awareness, along with policy support and community participation, is key to accelerating the clean energy transition, they added.
