I am a great believer of alternative energy sources and in moving from carbon based energy sources to new greener sources. I applaud the steps being taken by the car manufacturers to create electric vehicles that will take us further.
We have had solar panels on our house for over 10 years and today are contributing to the national grid helping the UK stay coal power free for another day.
In June 2012 the BBC published the following article that probably very few people read and fewer people remember,
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120618-global-resources-stock-check that shows the then expected reserves of elements. According to their data we will run out of the then world's known supply of Antimony next year.
This metal is used for the creation of drugs and batteries which may prove difficult for the race to alternative energy supplies.
Indium that is used in the manufacture of touchscreens and solar panels was estimated to run out in five years time.
So where does that leave the race to the electric car?
My hope is that alternative sources of these precious elements can be found, but it is imperative that we move from a use once culture to that these vital elements are used time and time again.
Electrification of cars is probably vital for the ongoing health of the planet, but it is only part of the solution.
I'm no eco-warrior, but I can read the signs of the age and we are probably getting perilously close to an "event horizon" from which we as a race may not be able to recover from.
Call to action - review your recycling habits, check out the information about global resources. Let me know what you find out?
