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A Vision Falling Short
The green transition was supposed to be a revolution —a move toward a cleaner, fairer communities where everyone has access to affordable, emissions-free energy, and neighbourhoods designed for sustainable, healthy living. But somewhere along the way, that vision got muddied. Rather than the green future we were promised, what we’re seeing today often feels like a half-hearted attempt weighed down by higher costs, corporate agendas, and misguided “solutions” that don’t actually serve most people.
Come and be a part of our series discussing: the current status of the green transition.
The Reality Check: Examples of Transition Going Off Track
1. Germany using coal
Despite ambitious climate goals, Germany’s investment in renewable energy hasn’t significantly reduced fossil fuel use. Last year, the country spent a substantial €36.3 billion on renewable energy technology (Macrotrends.net, 2024), yet coal still accounted for 44% of its electricity generation—the same as in 2009. The war in Ukraine and the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage did impact this reliance, as more natural gas could potentially have reduced coal use. However, that would still mean reliance on fossil fuels. Clearly, their Energy policy isn’t yielding the desired results. Not only is this whole scenario dirty, inefficient and expensive, it risks rolling black-outs this winter for the German people. No wonder Germany’s industrial decline is gathering speed.
2. Nuclear Energy: An Expensive and Endless Project
Nuclear energy has re-emerged as a potential solution for emissions-free power, yet the realities of nuclear expansion remain complex and costly, not to mention the national security concerns associated with Chinese state-owned companies being so heavily involved, like in the UK (City.am, 2023). Building nuclear plants demands huge initial investments, comes with persistent safety concerns, and often experiences delays that drive up costs. While nuclear may be part of the transition, the high price tag and timeline make it a challenging and far-from-perfect answer to the immediate need for clean energy.
3. Ethically Questionable Resource Extraction
The transition to “clean” energy has a dark side: rare earth metals like cobalt, essential for batteries, come with a human cost. Much of the cobalt used in battery production is mined in conditions that harm workers and communities, perpetuating cycles of exploitation and environmental degradation. The push for electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage must also include ethical sourcing, but until then, the “clean” promise of these technologies is clouded.
4. The AI Boom: Colossal Energy Demands
AI, touted as the next great leap for humanity, is becoming a massive energy drain. Data centres and advanced AI applications consume vast amounts of electricity. While AI might streamline certain aspects of life, its energy footprint undermines efforts to manage global consumption and emissions, challenging the very sustainability we’re aiming for.
5. Electric Cars: Reinforcing Car Dependency
Electric vehicles have been marketed as a green alternative, and while they do produce fewer emissions, they come with hidden costs. By focusing on EVs, we continue to reinforce car dependency, which brings its own financial burdens—car insurance, maintenance, charging infrastructure—and health risks associated with sedentary lifestyles. Instead of prioritizing car-free cities with robust public transport and walkable spaces, we’re being sold a version of “green” that keeps us locked into individual car ownership.
6. ‘Green’ Domestic Solutions Deepening the Divide
From home battery storage to rooftop solar, many renewable technologies come with high upfront costs, making them inaccessible to lower-income communities. These technologies, while promising, risk widening the wealth divide as wealthier households are able to afford energy independence while others are left behind. Instead of perpetuating this gap, we need policies and systems that make sustainable energy accessible and equitable. If you live in an apartment or shared house, where is your roof/garage/outdoor space for solar panels and batteries?
7. Rethinking the Transition: Real Solutions Over Corporate Hype
There’s a growing push from tech companies and venture capitalists for high-tech, capital-intensive “solutions” to our energy problems. But many of these proposed fixes are detached from the original goals of the energy transition. Take self-driving cars, they’re not mass transport, they’re not small batteries, they’re not cheap (Waymo taxis cost $250-300k to build). Instead of pouring resources into complex and costly technologies and leaving all our transport needs to the Tech Bros in Silicon Valley, we should focus on simpler, community-oriented solutions that address the root of the problem—overconsumption, inefficiency, and unsustainable urban planning.
Reclaiming the Future
The green energy transition doesn’t have to be a dream hijacked by corporations nor does it have to be another example of Governments wasting taxpayer money. We can return to the original goals: affordable, clean energy that supports healthy, liveable communities. Continue engaging with out content to learn more.
The Burnt Juice team is dedicated to exploring the real challenges and opportunities in the transition to sustainable living. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter, and consider supporting our work on Patreon.