The Rare Metals War: the dark side of clean energy and digital technologies

The resources race is on for precious metals like cobalt, gold, and palladium, which are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. We need to know more about their mining and trading and their environmental, economic, and geopolitical costs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: Scribe Publications

A celebrated international bestseller that delves into the impending time-bomb lurking beneath our modern technological order. The race for resources is in full swing, as we rely on precious metals such as cobalt, gold, and palladium to power our digital lives and drive green technologies. However, these valuable resources are rapidly depleting, raising concerns about what will happen when they run out. The green-tech revolution aims to reduce our dependence on nuclear power, coal, and oil by embracing renewable energy sources. While this transition promises to be a game-changer, it also introduces a new dependence on rare metals. These metals are crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels, as well as our smartphones, computers, tablets, and other technological advancements. However, there is a significant lack of knowledge about the mining, trading, and environmental, economic, and geopolitical implications of rare metals.

The extraction and processing of rare metals are complex and often environmentally harmful. Mining activities can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat destruction, while the transportation of these metals can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the demand for rare metals is driving geopolitical tensions, as countries compete for control over mining sites and resources.

The economic impact of rare metals is also significant. They are used in a wide range of industries, from electronics to automotive to healthcare, and their prices can fluctuate wildly due to supply and demand. This can have a significant impact on businesses and consumers, as well as the global economy.

In conclusion, the race for resources is on, and the depletion of precious metals is a growing concern. The green-tech revolution is set to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, but it also introduces a new dependence on rare metals. We need to understand the environmental, economic, and geopolitical costs of these metals to make informed decisions about their use and management.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781914484964