Could a shortage of mud and minerals, essential to low carbon technologies, curtail the world's plans for a green future?The key to a low carbon future is not negotiations in Copenhagen but mud and minerals in China. All low carbon technologies, from wind turbines to electric cars and low energy lightbulbs, use elements known as 'rare earths'. And 95 per cent of these are found in China. Earlier this year the Chinese decided to restrict export of these essential metals and minerals and now a shortage is predicted which could effect the development of green technologies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/paulmason/2009/11/rare_earth_the_new_great_game.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8097845.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8097931.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8366694.stm
'Rare earth' shortage threatens green revolution - Channel 4 News
