Difference between revisions of "There are no sustainable energy sources/consumption"
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* Even sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power require rare-earth minerals (for solar cells, generator magnets, and storage batteries) | * Even sustainable energy sources such as solar and wind power require rare-earth minerals (for solar cells, generator magnets, and storage batteries) | ||
* Mining of rare earth minerals is just as environmentally disastrous as mining of oil and coal, or [[fracking]] of natural gas. | * Mining of rare earth minerals is just as environmentally disastrous as mining of oil and coal, or [[fracking]] of natural gas. | ||
| − | * Therefore sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are no more | + | * Therefore sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar are no more sustainable than oil, coal, and natural gas. |
===Flaws=== | ===Flaws=== | ||
Flaws with this argument include the following: | Flaws with this argument include the following: | ||
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2. '''The need for rare minerals is overstated, at best.''' | 2. '''The need for rare minerals is overstated, at best.''' | ||
| − | * The most common type of [[wikipedia:solar cell|solar cell]] is made of silicon, the most common mineral on Earth. | + | * The most common type of [[wikipedia:solar cell|solar cell]] is made of silicon, the most common mineral on Earth. {{l/foot|2008-06-12/MZJ}} {{l/foot|MADEHOW}} |
| − | + | and which are also recyclable. {{l/foot|LBRCOM}} {{l/foot|KFGCOM}} {{l/foot|BATTUNIV}} | |
* Research on solar cell and rechargeable battery technology is very intense right now, including the search for cheaper materials, and new discoveries happen regularly. | * Research on solar cell and rechargeable battery technology is very intense right now, including the search for cheaper materials, and new discoveries happen regularly. | ||
** a new sulfur-based rechargeable battery outperforms Li-ion batteries.{{l/foot|2013-06-05/PO}} (Sulfur is even more common than lithium.) | ** a new sulfur-based rechargeable battery outperforms Li-ion batteries.{{l/foot|2013-06-05/PO}} (Sulfur is even more common than lithium.) | ||
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3. '''Rare earths are recyclable.''' | 3. '''Rare earths are recyclable.''' | ||
| − | + | Although supplies have so far been sufficiently plentiful that most rare earths currently do not get recycled, they are definitely recyclable; as supplies become less adequate to meet demand, recycling is therefore likely to increase. {{l/foot|MOLYCORP}} | |
4. '''The argument presumes that "sustainability" requires ''no consumption.''''' | 4. '''The argument presumes that "sustainability" requires ''no consumption.''''' | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
* {{t/foot|2008-02-28/DK|[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/02/28/466075/-Lifecycle-Costs-of-Photovoltaics Lifecycle Costs of Photovoltaics] "Using data compiled from the original records of twelve PV manufacturers, we quantified the emissions from the life cycle of four major commercial photovoltaic technologies and showed that they are insignificant in comparison to the emissions that they replace when introduced in average European and U.S. grids."}} | * {{t/foot|2008-02-28/DK|[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/02/28/466075/-Lifecycle-Costs-of-Photovoltaics Lifecycle Costs of Photovoltaics] "Using data compiled from the original records of twelve PV manufacturers, we quantified the emissions from the life cycle of four major commercial photovoltaic technologies and showed that they are insignificant in comparison to the emissions that they replace when introduced in average European and U.S. grids."}} | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|2008-06-12/MZJ|[http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/Articles/I/ReviewSolGW09.pdf Review of solutions to global warming, air pollution, and energy security] page 150: "Materials used today include amorphous silicon, polycrystalline silicon, micro-crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, and copper indium selenide/sulfide."}} | ||
* {{t/foot|2013-05-14/RMI|[http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2013_5_14_As_Solar_PV_Efficiency_Climbs_Costs_Likely_To_Drop As Solar PV Efficiency Climbs, Costs Likely To Drop]: a report on recent developments in solar cell technology}} | * {{t/foot|2013-05-14/RMI|[http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2013_5_14_As_Solar_PV_Efficiency_Climbs_Costs_Likely_To_Drop As Solar PV Efficiency Climbs, Costs Likely To Drop]: a report on recent developments in solar cell technology}} | ||
* {{t/foot|2013-06-05/PO|[http://phys.org/news/2013-06-all-solid-sulfur-based-battery-outperforms-lithium-ion.html New all-solid sulfur-based battery outperforms lithium-ion technology]}} | * {{t/foot|2013-06-05/PO|[http://phys.org/news/2013-06-all-solid-sulfur-based-battery-outperforms-lithium-ion.html New all-solid sulfur-based battery outperforms lithium-ion technology]}} | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|BATTUNIV|]http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/recycling_batteries How to Recycle Batteries]}} | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|KFGCOM|[http://www.keenforgreen.com/recycle/are_lithium_ion_batteries_recyclable Are Lithium Ion Batteries Recyclable?]: "Yes! Lithium Ion Batteries are recyclable."}} | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|LBRCOM|[http://www.lead-battery-recycling.com/lead-battery-recycling.html Lead Battery Recycling] "All the components of the modern lead acid battery are recyclable and from an Industry perspective lead-acid batteries are an environmental success story because in the United States just over 96% is recovered and in most of the G7 nations upwards of 95% is recycled." }} | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|MADEHOW|[http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Solar-Cell.html How Products are Made: Solar Cell] "The basic component of a solar cell is pure silicon..."}} | ||
| + | ** [http://www.waste-management-world.com/articles/print/volume-12/issue-4/features/the-lithium-battery-recycling-challenge.html The Lithium Battery Recycling Challenge] goes into some detail about the logistics | ||
| + | ** '''2009-08-28''' [http://www.hybridcars.com/birth-industry-recycle-lithium-auto-batteries-26047/ Birth of Industry to Recycle Lithium Auto Batteries] talks about plans to scale up Li-ion recycling in anticipation of increased usage in automobiles | ||
| + | * {{t/foot|MOLYCORP|[http://www.molycorp.com/technology/rare-earth-recycling Rare Earth Recycling] "...most of the rare earths used in applications, such as fluorescent lighting and computer hard drives, can be recovered and reused."}} | ||