Foreign Policy In Focus (2023, August 17) Rare Earth Mining: Sacrificing The Environment to Save The Planet? Retrieved August 19, 2023, from
Rare Earth Mining: Sacrificing the Environment to Save the Planet? – FPIF
In the Southern part of Sweden a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains is home to a large deposit of rare earth minerals. Mining companies have tried to get mining claims to the area but have been blocked by locals and environmentalists worried about the effect on the environment. This highlights the main issue with the green energy transition. To save the planet there’s a need for minerals and traditional mining that threatens to destroy local environments.
The article shows the conflict of current methods to collect enough resources to fuel the green energy transition. There is a deadly trade off as to save the planet, ecosystems and environments would need to be sacrificed to mining. I’m interested in the articles because they show green energy solutions, despite being the best way forward. Aren’t necessarily perfect as to protect the planet ecosystems and environments are at risk of destruction. It shows that there is still a lot we need to learn if we want to keep our plant and all ecosystems protected.
It is interesting that there are things needed to save the planet that also hurt ecosystems. This just goes to show how complex and difficult dealing with the environment and keeping it safe is. What do you think is the best way forward? How would you deal with this problem?
Thanks for your response! This is a difficult decision, in this situation the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. So, unfortunately, we would have to sacrifice some environments to save the entire planet.