Elevate your enthusiasm!
— Jim Carroll
The opportunity
Access critical minerals necessary for new technologies while ensuring the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity through rigorous environmental safeguards and innovative extraction methods.
From “Daily Inspiration: 24 Strategies for 2024 #5 - “Elevate your enthusiasm!”” (December 2023)
Sustainable Business Practices: Increasing corporate responsibility and accountability despite pushback
Deep Sea Exploration: Discovering new marine species and ecosystems as well as more insight into environmental risk
Advancements in Biodegradable Materials: Reducing environmental impact with innovations in science and packaging
From “The BIG Future: New Materials Science” (February 2023)
There are also big geopolitical issues that come with materials science as well - particularly with critical minerals. Critical minerals are elements or compounds that have been deemed by the United States government to pose a significant risk in terms of supply and impact on our country. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been tasked with maintaining the critical mineral list which was last published in 2022. n1 The critical mineral list is created through an analysis of three criteria: (1) the likelihood of a supply disruption, (2) the impact to the nation’s economy and defense if a supply disruption occurs, and (3) if there is a significant supply risk existing. Of the 87 elements that are used for manufacturing, 50 are on the list! This fact alone reveals the dire situation that our country faces in terms of raw material supply as we are dependent on foreign countries, some of which are adversaries.
Over the past 27 years, the United States lost 30% of its copper mining capacity and 57% of its copper metal production). Meanwhile, China built 40 copper smelters and is presently planning to build four more to meet its internal demand. n5 This resulted in Chinese copper production increasing by 1570%! While Chinese copper mining has increased, most of China’s copper is mined elsewhere (e.g., Chile and Peru) and shipped as mineral concentrate. The Chinese mineral demand to feed its smelters and refineries occurs in several metal supply chains resulting in a “Mine for China” phenomenon that has swept through developing countries with mineral resources. China now produces 42% of the world’s refined copper, while the United States produces only 4%.
Lead mining and metal production declined in the United States by 28% and 21% from 1995 to 2022. Domestic lead metal production has shifted completely to recycling with the last primary smelter in Herculaneum, Missouri, closing in 2013. Lead mining, smelting and battery production provides a $2.3 billion impact on the Missouri economy n6 and is still critical for all automobiles including EVs Again, while the U.S. lead production declined, Chinese production expanded dramatically. China now produces 44% of the world’s lead.
From “Agriculture 2020! Innovation, growth & opportunity!” (April 2011)
What’s the result of these trends, and the impact of the recent recession? Aggressive indecision — a mindset that I’ve talked about on this blog for a long time. “Many ranchers are wary of investing in expanding their herds, even with exports rising and prices climbing, because “they’re uncertain about the future,” said Gregg Doud, chief economist at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, which represents ranchers and feedlots.” Where’s the Beef: Food Inflation Fears, Wall Street Journal, August 2010
On the first issue — we are going to witness many nation states work fast to ensure the security of their food supply. We are seeing it happen now with China, in order that it can ensure a sustainable reliable supply of food for its population in the future. How big an issue this is this? “Food security will be the greatest challenge to civilization this century, with shortages leading to higher prices, political instability and mass migration, warn scientists, farmers and academics.” Looming food crisis showing on our shelves Sunday Age, April 2011
What is cooking is an effort by these organizations to move to sustainability practices to the forefront, in order to respond to consumer demand. And what the sustainability trend leads to is a world in which food quality and safety ratings become commonplace. Wal-Mart, which sells more than 20 per cent of all US groceries, is developing an eco-labelling program that will give a green rating to all items sold in its 7500 stores worldwide… Unlikely alliance, Sydney Morning Herald, February 2011
Read the full pieces on jimcarroll.com:
Daily Inspiration: 24 Strategies for 2024 #5 - “Elevate your enthusiasm!”
The BIG Future: New Materials Science
Agriculture 2020! Innovation, growth & opportunity!