Sustainable energy resources require significant materials, leading to environmental and social conflicts related to mining and energy infrastructure due to geographic constraints. Minerals and energy resources are region-specific, creating a dependency on specific areas for harnessing these resources. Diversification efforts to invest in mining and refining globally may lead to new, potentially less efficient or environmentally friendly sites due to greenfield development. Greenfield development faces opposition from communities, as seen in a project denied in Minnesota. Geopolitical tensions between resource-rich and resource-demanding countries further complicate the sustainability of energy resources. A proposed solution involves reconfiguring the conversation by establishing a mineral trust for the green transition to address these challenges.
To transition to clean energy and green technology like electric cars, the world needs massive amounts of essential minerals. Environmental peacemaker Saleem Ali explains the conflicts already arising between countries rushing to mine and extract these precious minerals — and shows how the world can find a way to cooperate rather than fight resource wars.