As the global transition from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives like solar and wind accelerates, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has issued a call to limit the environmental costs of the transition. The move to renewables is ultimately meant to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use, but the journey to a renewable energy-powered world has been anything but clean so far.
Most of the raw materials used to power electric vehicle batteries are mined in high-conflict regions with non-existent health and safety standards. Similarly, efforts to build battery storage for renewables, develop wind and solar infrastructure, and modernize grids will require plenty of key minerals. Minerals like nickel, cobalt, lithium, copper, and other rare earths will be essential to the green transition.
The International Energy Agency estimates that the demand for the 17 minerals that will be central to the energy transition will rise fourfold by 2031 to meet the Paris Agreement on Climate Change goals. Unfortunately, mining is extremely disruptive to the environment, and the high-conflict regions that host many important mines make it nigh impossible to track whether key safety protocols are being followed.
Research by the WWF and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) also shows that around 7% of the minerals needed for the transition are located in biodiversity hotspots that simply cannot survive the disruption brought by mining operations. Nearly 9% of operational mines are already located in such areas. Cumulatively, these mines represent an existential danger to biodiversity, and the effects of eroding the world’s biodiversity could be just as bad as climate change, experts say.
As such, the WWF is calling on countries to do all they can to minimize the harm mining for green energy minerals can do to the environment. Numerous ecosystems across the globe rely on a mix of different species to remain sustainable, and the destruction of species caused by eroded biodiversity could start a catastrophic cascade that destroys ecosystems.
While the transition to renewables is crucial to limiting humanity’s impact on the planet, the execution could result in major ecological issues if it is botched. The WWF notes that since increasing global mineral supplies to meet demand for EVs, solar, and wind infrastructure is of utmost importance, recycling can green these industries and limit mining-related ecological damage. Mining activities should also be carried out responsibly, with spatial planning conducted beforehand to ensure especially valuable ecosystems are spared.
Hopefully, the innovative ways in which companies like Frontieras North America Inc. are seeking to leverage existing fossil fuels like coal in less carbon-intensive ways could reduce the emissions from heavy industries, such as the mining industry, that depend on fossil fuels as sources of energy for their operations.
About GreenEnergyStocks
GreenEnergyStocks (“GES”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on companies working to shape the future of the green economy. GreenEnergyStocks is one of 75+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, GES is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists, and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, GES brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. GES is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.
To receive SMS alerts from GreenEnergyStocks, text “Green” to 888-902-4192 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.GreenEnergyStocks.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the GreenEnergyStocks website applicable to all content provided by GES, wherever published or re-published: https://www.greennrgstocks.com/Disclaimer
GreenEnergyStocks
Los Angeles, CA
www.GreenEnergyStocks.com
310.299.1717 Office
[email protected]
GreenEnergyStocks is powered by IBN