Environmental impact of energy production and extraction of materials - a review

Energy is a basic necessity. In this modern world, energy is produced using different resources and technology, which helps sustain our energy demands. All the present economies have relied on fossil fuel-based energy generation for past decades. The continuous exploitation of resources for energy purposes has left areas uninhabitable. While renewable energy technologies are emerging and in trend, the same story goes for them. Almost all present-day energy methods have some effect on the environment. The nexus of energy and the environment is a fragile balance. This balance should remain. The study includes a comparison of renewable and nonrenewable sources; the problem associated with fossil fuel extraction, and analyzes the impact of various energy-producing infrastructures on the environment. In mining rare earth elements, toxic chemicals are released into the atmosphere. The extraction of such materials leads to environmental concerns. Energy production should remain as neutral as possible. Copyright (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.