Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Yet if the world's markets are only a reality of the “here and now” the conser-
vation of minerals and their future applications for use in the coming generations
seemingly plays no part. Vulnerable communities
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and local ecosystems that fall
victim to Man's unsatisfiable mineral demands also have little or no say. Indeed as
stated by von Weizsäcker et al. (2009):
“Markets are superb at steering an e
cient allocation of resources and stimulat-
ing innovation, but they don't provide public order and law, moral standards,
basic education, and infrastructures, and markets are miserably ine
cient, often
even counterproductive, when it comes to protecting the commons and steering
innovation into a long term sustainable direction. Human societies, and the envi-
ronment, will need a healthy balance between public and private goods or between
the state and the markets”.
The problem of geological scarcity and the damaged caused by extraction is
evidently an element that falls outside much of the geopolitical debate. Mainstream
debate on resources often centres around energy or water both of which are one
dimensional whilst minerals are multidimensional. This can be seen by the fact that
energy, for example, can be obtained in many forms with its use subject to whether
the source (water, wind, gas, etc) is available at the time. Mineral substitution is
in comparison somewhat limited, if not impossible - as is the case for phosphorous
- something which governments have only just started to perceive as a complex
challenge.
Easier to understand, is the relationship between the price of energy and prime
materials. Kooroshy et al. (2009) analysed a correlation between a historical series
of data from the 1970s of the average price of two commodities: oil and non-fuel
minerals. The result obtained was 0.77, which indicates a very strong correlation. If
one considers oil to be a good proxy for global energy prices, the somewhat evident
qualitative expression is supported and quantified. This empirical confirmation is
a phenomenon that has been comprehensively described throughout this topic.
Taking into account this connection and also the one that exists between accel-
erated global warming and an exponential consumption of fossil fuels and non-fuel
minerals, one can testify as to the truth of the following statement: “Materials,
both in terms of quantity and quality, constitute an essential role in the future of
the planet. And, whilst the future planetary climate will affect the water, energy
and material resources, the use and management of minerals will likewise affect the
magnitude and speed of climate change. This is, in no uncertain terms, a synergetic
process which ultimately leads humanity down the path of Thanatia”. In this way,
Thanatia would become the convergence point of all resource shortages, which is
why the authors associate it with the commercial end of the planet.
To lengthen the path, one must take decisive action. This should not only be
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Including and especially those that fall under the natural resources curse. The natural resources
curse speaks about those countries that despite having an abundance of non-renewable resources
have limited or stagnated economic growth than those that have fewer.
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