It was even a dominant topic during the federal election campaign and whether you're a climate change fan, or a skeptic, nobody can deny the need to keep evolving as we become armed with better technology.

The topic is also gaining momentum across the globe.

The United Kingdom government recently became the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency.

"We are living in a climate crisis that will spiral dangerously out of control unless we take rapid and dramatic action now," Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

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You've got to admit, that is a pretty big step.

When it comes to renewable energy, all levels of government, relevant stakeholders and the public need to do their bit to live in a more sustainable way.

Of that we're all agreed.

The more complex issue is how to go about addressing the problem without necessarily ending the jobs so many families across the nation depend on.

There is nowhere that is a more relevant issue than right here in the Hunter Valley which, for so long, has been the mining hub of our nation.

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The renewable energy subject has recently landed firmly on the picturesque doorstep of historic Vacy.

Rio Indygen, a company that specialises in solar projects, has confirmed it will submit a development application to build a large solar panel farm.

The company needs a site that is close to a substation, and there is one nearby at Martins Creek.

The news has Vacy residents concerned about the impact on the historic village and the rural vista. After all, the farming outlook around Vacy is similar to that of historic Morpeth.

The use of agricultural land is also a concern for the residents.

After all, in the Hunter we have limited farmland, and the rate of urban sprawl onto farming land around Maitland means it is often in high demand.

No one would argue that clean energy such as solar isn't the way of the future, but is the best place to put a solar farm on valuable grazing land?

We're still suffering from drought, and quality grazing and farming land is invaluable.

Surely there's still enough unused land available that we can have both solar farms and good farming land.