Go 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Action, Hydropower and Climate Change When it comes to fighting climate change, many people look to switching from fossil fuels to alternate sources of power, like hydropower. Hydropower plants use a turbine that converts the kinetic energy from falling water into mechanical energy. Although hydropower didn't pollute the water or air, it does have a negative effect on the environment. The dam and reservoir needed to operate a hydropower plant may disturb the migration patterns of fish in the area. The plant may also increase the water's temperature, which could affect surrounding plant and animal life. This warming can also create a change in precipitation and make wet places wetter and dry places drier. Climate change presents a new challenge for hydropower, but it also presents an opportunity for development. Hydropower dams have been around for over 100 years. Updating these dams to make them more energy efficient can help to reduce the negative effects they produce. Also, only a small percentage of existing dams in the United States have hydropower capacity. But when it comes to hydropower dams, it's more important to focus on quality of quantity. Maximizing efficiency, responsible operation, and environmental performance are the keys to making hydropower be the climate change friendly source of energy we want it to be. Hydropower is viewed as the go-to alternative energy source. It's up to us to make this vision a reality.