Today we are seeing the greatest challenges to change our energy and transportation systems since the industrial revolution of more than 100 years ago. It is expected that by 2025 renewable energies will be comparable to the sum of fossil and nuclear energies.
But that can happen if you have the necessary materials. And those materials are the metals that are needed to build the batteries, solar cells, wind turbines, electric motors, etc... that are necessary to manufacture the new systems that will provide us with the necessary energy and allow us to move without generating pollution.
Some of these minerals (which many call critical) are copper, lithium, manganese, nickel, cobalt, etc... along with others that are called rare earths such as neodymium, tungsten and others, and all of them are found in limited quantities.
On the other hand, according to the International Energy Agency, between now and 2040 the needs for these minerals should multiply to try to meet the Paris objectives to avoid Climate Change.
With which some experts have estimated that it would be necessary to open between 300 and 400 new mines before the year 2035, although these needs could be reduced if measures were taken to minimize those needs.
Those most desperate to find more minerals have turned to trying underwater prospecting at great depths, regardless of the damage that may be caused to the marine environment. Let's hope the world stops their feet and they don't destroy what little we have left without spoiling.
The challenges of securing a supply of critical minerals require a global approach. Governments, companies and non-governmental organizations must work together to ensure that we have a reliable supply of these minerals in the future. Which is more difficult every day if we take into account the technological struggles between some countries and others.
And in this global approach, a change in our way of life must be included, making it more sustainable and less consumerist. Change that it’s not easy to carry out.
It also seems clear that the new technological developments are going to help us, but it is not known if they will arrive in time to avoid the worst consequences of a climate change that is already with us and that we can observe and suffer every year.
I don't know if it's because of how old I am, but every day I'm less optimistic about it. We are selfish, we are only moved by the short term and our political leaders are not interested in mentalizing us with the problems that we are going to have in the future, because in that case we would not vote for them.
In short, time will bring us what we have deserved.
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