Part 4/11:
What many proponents of wind and solar power gloss over is the concept of "disposable energy." Unlike conventional energy sources, which can be employed continuously and last for decades, the infrastructures that support wind and solar energy are designed for a much shorter lifespan—perhaps only 20 years before needing replacement. The materials required for this infrastructure are not as innocuous as they appear. For instance, wind turbine blades have proven notoriously difficult to recycle, often ending their life buried in landfills. Similarly, the toxic chemicals in solar panels pose considerable risks during disposal.