About the Steam Engine....?

Question

Two Questions really.....

Is it only eco friendly power that doesnt used the power of steam?

and if so, does that makes one of the greatest inventions in our world, leading us to our own ecological downfall?

Answer 1

No. Steam engine is not exactly a non pollution idea. Steam is to be generated, How? The water is to be heated to produce steam. Normally coal is used.  It is one of the worst polluter. Or you can go for furnace oil or naphtha or diesel. They do not fare any better.

Now the above answers both of your questions.

Better ecology protection could be by wind energy, solar energy, bio fuel etc. Nuclear energy produces lots of wastage which is very difficult to dispose off.

Answer 2

nope. any source of heat can drive a steam engine. anything that can boil water.

watt's steam engine was not the first. but it was vastly more efficient than its predecessors, saving energy. but.....

the improvements made it so cheap to run, that many many more were built, increasing energy consumption. it could be made portable, making railroads possible. and so on.

in some ways, our "ecological downfall" will depend on how YOU use the energy that you have available to you. waste it and hasten doomsday. use it wisely and you will have some for tomorrow.