silver
Newsletter
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Australia’s renewable energy aspirations face hurdles
Australia’s ambition to become a renewable energy leader hinges on domestic innovation and overcoming fossil fuel dependency.
In short:
- Australian company SunDrive Solar has developed a method to replace silver with copper in solar cells, a cheaper and more abundant material.
- The government’s Future Made in Australia plan offers significant incentives for green industries but faces criticism for continued support of fossil fuels.
- Critics argue the dual support for fossil fuels and renewable energy sends mixed signals to investors and undermines the country's green ambitions.
Key quote:
“Silver is expensive, scarce and environmentally disastrous, and it limits how much solar can be rolled out around the world.”
— Maia Schweizer, chief commercial officer of SunDrive Solar
Why this matters:
For years, Australia has been one of the world’s leading coal exporters, with fossil fuels forming a backbone of its economy. However, the global shift towards sustainability, coupled with increasing climate change impacts, has spurred a push for a more robust renewable energy sector. From vast solar farms in the Outback to cutting-edge wind energy projects, Australia’s landscape is ripe for renewable energy development.
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Image by Elle Stallings from Pixabay
Pandora now only sources recycled metals for its jewelry
This week, Pandora announced that it is now sourcing only 100-percent-recycled silver and gold for its collections. Is that as good as it sounds?
Newsletter
As millions of solar panels age out, recyclers look to cash in
Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.
Demand for minerals used in electric vehicles, wind, solar power a boon for B.C.'s mining industry
Exploration for minerals in B.C. needed for the world’s transition to a low-carbon future has accelerated over the past two years, as the province’s mining industry hopes to demonstrate its commitment to the environment and reconciliation with First Nations.
Newsletter
Photo by omid roshan on Unsplash
Op-ed: Trade-offs between protecting biodiversity and avoiding climate change
To combat climate change with clean energy technology, we need copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold and silver — a lot of them.
www.arctictoday.com
Environmental groups sue to overturn the approval of a controversial Arctic Alaska mining road
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Anchorage, seeks to overturn the July 23 approval issued for the Ambler Mining District Industrial Access Project.
thebarentsobserver.com
Miners hunting for metals to power electric vehicles threaten Sámi reindeer herders' homeland
Sámi families in the Tarvantovaara wilderness area fear mining will destroy their indigenous way of life.
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