Back to the rare earth metals issue.
The reason almost all mines and refining are in China is because both are nasty, dirty, unhealthy businesses, that are cost prohibitive in our over-regulated environment. So like most things unpleasant, we sent that offshore so we can pretend the nasty side effects on our shared planet don't actually exist. If push comes to shove, we could be honest with ourselves, and admit that pollution is pollution, whether it occurs here or in China, and bring these industries back under some reasonable compromise on regulations. It won't happen overnight, but if you look back at WWII, especially the German side, it is amazing what can be done in a short period of time under adverse conditions to overcome large obstacles.
The reason almost all mines and refining are in China is because both are nasty, dirty, unhealthy businesses, that are cost prohibitive in our over-regulated environment. So like most things unpleasant, we sent that offshore so we can pretend the nasty side effects on our shared planet don't actually exist. If push comes to shove, we could be honest with ourselves, and admit that pollution is pollution, whether it occurs here or in China, and bring these industries back under some reasonable compromise on regulations. It won't happen overnight, but if you look back at WWII, especially the German side, it is amazing what can be done in a short period of time under adverse conditions to overcome large obstacles.
Comment