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Originally Posted by Slava
I don’t think that’s “easy to solve with regulations” at all. How do you regulate the mining in Africa if you’re the Canadian government? And yeah, there’s lithium in Alberta, but it’s extremely expensive compared to other sources around the globe, at this point.
I just think a lot of this “zero emissions” for certain things is like the “fat-free” labeling we’ve seen. Sure, the electric scooter or car has zero emissions while your using it, and that’s good. But it’s not actually carbon free because the production is more carbon intensive than other vehicles, and of course the energy is generated somehow. Plenty of foods that are fat-free are actually fat-free. Sure they’re loaded with sugar or whatever, and that gets changed to fat when you don’t burn it off, but the cake itself is fat-free!
Even a lot of the “renewable” energy plays out there are largely natural gas. It’s good marketing, and makes people feel better. And yeah, natural gas is better than coal. But it’s not actually a renewable energy source. Unless we’re on the “it only takes 65 million years to renew the oil reserves” train of thought now?
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The first world market could decide to impose conditions on the rare earth metals it uses of it wants to. Those with control of the resources will comply or lose their market. Price goes up driving alternatives to be found. As a society we are not interested in solving mining issues in Africa though so we won’t bother.
I’m not sure what you mean by most renewables are natural gas plays?