I grew up in a country where energy felt limitless. Oil and gas were more than resources: they shaped identity, stability, and economic growth. But today, working in the field of advanced energy research, I see a different reality. The question is no longer only how much energy we can extract, but how responsibly we can create and use it.
A new understanding of “green” energy
Across the globe, the urgency is undeniable. Climate challenges are no longer abstract. They affect our daily lives, our economies, and our future. Leading scientific organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change continue to warn that the coming years will play a critical role in shaping the future of our planet.
My research focuses on developing smart and sustainable materials for future energy technologies, particularly in advanced solar cells and energy-efficient computing systems inspired by the human brain. One aspect of this work is especially important to me: the development of non-toxic, environmentally friendly materials.
For years, some highly efficient solar technologies have relied on materials that may pose environmental and health risks, including lead-based compounds. Although these materials can deliver excellent performance, they also raise an important question: can a technology truly be considered sustainable if it creates environmental concerns during production, use, or disposal?
This is why the shift toward lead-free and safer materials is so important. The goal is not only to improve the efficiency of a piece of technology, but also to ensure that its entire lifecycle aligns with the principles of sustainability. Clean energy should also be clean in the way it is developed and manufactured.
By developing safer materials, researchers can help create solar technologies that are both high-performing and environmentally responsible. As global demand for renewable energy continues to grow, scaling up these technologies should not mean increasing environmental risks or future waste problems. Recent reports from the International Energy Agency show how rapidly renewable energy technologies are expanding worldwide.
Smarter technologies for a sustainable future
Another exciting area of my research involves energy-efficient computing technologies. Some modern electronic systems are being designed to process information more like the human brain, allowing them to perform complex tasks while using significantly less energy. This could become increasingly important as our world grows more digital and interconnected.
Still, technological progress alone cannot shape the future we want.
Countries rich in fossil fuels stand at an important crossroads. The same natural resources that once powered development can now help finance innovation and sustainability. Investing in greener and safer technologies does not erase the importance of the past. Instead, it reflects a responsibility toward future generations and the long-term wellbeing of society.
Sustainability is ultimately about mindset. It encourages us to think beyond short-term convenience and consider long-term impact. It asks governments, researchers, industries, and individuals alike to make choices that protect both people and the planet.
This message is intended for everyone – from scientists and policymakers to everyday readers – because the future of energy affects us all. The decisions we make today will shape the world inherited by future generations. A sustainable future depends not only on producing energy, but on producing it responsibly.
Maryam Ghasemi
The author is a PhD researcher developing smart and sustainable materials for future energy technologies, with a particular focus on advanced solar cells and energy-efficient, brain-inspired computing systems.
