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The logical alternative
Reflecting on deep-sea mining debates (August, p24), it would seem logical for the resources and funding being ploughed into the endeavour to instead be invested in recycling rare metals from electronic waste. Given the vast quantities of electronic waste produced globally, this would provide a sustainable, closed-loop supply of these metals, tackle the impacts of electronic waste pollution and prevent damage to deep-sea ecosystems. It would use metals we’ve already extracted, rather than risking long-term damage from deep-sea mining, which would only end up generating further electronic waste pollution if recycling strategies aren’t developed!
Morag Hewett, via email
Assumed knowledge
Reading the Q&A about fusion power (September, p77), I was struck by the fact that…
