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Transitioning to a circular economy and recognizing mineral scarcity is crucial for sustainable development. Simon discusses how the increasing scarcity of minerals and the shift away from fossil-based resources are key challenges we need to address.
The intimate relationship between energy, materials, and GDP highlights the intricate balance in our economic system. Energy and minerals are essential for economic output, with technology serving as a catalyst for increased efficiency.
The podcast delves into the complexities of transitioning to renewable energy sources. The immense amount of minerals and materials required for renewable technologies poses a significant challenge, especially in the face of limited reserves and the time-intensive nature of transitioning our energy infrastructure.
The dominant economic model lacks consideration for energy and raw materials, assuming unlimited growth without acknowledging resource limits. This oversight leads to a blind spot where questions about the origin and sustainability of raw materials are neglected. Despite increasing awareness about environmental concerns, key decision-makers are yet to address the fundamental queries about the sourcing and depletion of critical resources like minerals and energy.
The current global reliance on specific nations for essential resources like natural gas raises concerns about potential shortages and geopolitical vulnerabilities. With a significant portion of European gas supplied by Russia and challenges in diversifying sources quickly, the fragility of supply chains becomes evident. This dependency on external resources poses a significant risk, especially in times of conflict or geopolitical instability, impacting essential sectors such as energy and agriculture.
On this episode, we meet with Associate Professor of Geometallurgy at the Geological Survey of Finland, Dr. Simon Michaux.
Why do humans ignore important mineral and material limits that will affect human futures? Dr. Michaux reveals how we are “minerals blind” — and the consequences of this myopia.
To shed light on the effects of our minerals blindness, Dr. Michaux explores the disconnect between experts in renewable energy and economic and government leaders.
Dr. Michaux offers individual strategies for us to overcome our energy and minerals blindness. How can we learn to adapt in order to overcome the coming challenges?
About Simon Michaux:
Dr. Simon Michaux is an Associate Professor of Geometallurgy at the Geological Survey of Finland. He has a PhD in mining engineering. Dr. Michaux’s long-term work is on societal transformation toward a circular economy.
For Show Notes and Transcript visit: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/19-simon-michaux
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