Tabuchi, Hiroko. “Biden Administration Cancels Mining Leases near Wilderness Area.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Jan. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/climate/boundary-waters-copper-mining.html?searchResultPosition=1.  

In the article, President Joe Biden is canceling two mining leases for copper within Minnesota and on the border of Canada. It is said that it is something that our past President Obama has already canceled; however President Trump reinstalled these leases during his term to provide an economic increase in that area. Biden states that this land is pristine wilderness, by allowing these mines to continue, it would mean the destruction of a habit for many animals. Environmentalists agree, showing that they would rather keep this land bare rather than destroy it for economic purposes. The loss of an ecosystem is detrimental across all categories. Overall by destroying these habitats, there will be an unbalance of animals and fewer trees that use photosynthesis to store carbon. 

 

I agree that the government should be more aware of the creation or continuation of adding more mines, even when something other than fossil fuel is being minded; the creation of these mining factories and the transportation/machines being used are all emitting greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Along with carbon being released, it also destroys carbon sinks. One of our main ways to take carbon out of the atmosphere is by taking advantage of natural processes like photosynthesis. We have started to utilize this process, and by planting more plants and maintaining current ecosystems, we can collect this carbon; building these mines suggests the complete opposite. Additionally, these mines will scare away animals, as mentioned in the article, this area houses the gray wolf and Canada lynx, which are essential to keep the ecosystem balanced. Nonetheless, it is argued by supporters of the mines that there are 400 billion tons of copper and nickel ore under the surface of these areas, however, I believe that this is not worth the negative consequence of the mining.