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Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • Laura J. Sonter

    (The University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland
    University of Vermont)

  • Marie C. Dade

    (The University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland
    McGill University)

  • James E. M. Watson

    (The University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland
    Wildlife Conservation Society)

  • Rick K. Valenta

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

Renewable energy production is necessary to halt climate change and reverse associated biodiversity losses. However, generating the required technologies and infrastructure will drive an increase in the production of many metals, creating new mining threats for biodiversity. Here, we map mining areas and assess their spatial coincidence with biodiversity conservation sites and priorities. Mining potentially influences 50 million km2 of Earth’s land surface, with 8% coinciding with Protected Areas, 7% with Key Biodiversity Areas, and 16% with Remaining Wilderness. Most mining areas (82%) target materials needed for renewable energy production, and areas that overlap with Protected Areas and Remaining Wilderness contain a greater density of mines (our indicator of threat severity) compared to the overlapping mining areas that target other materials. Mining threats to biodiversity will increase as more mines target materials for renewable energy production and, without strategic planning, these new threats to biodiversity may surpass those averted by climate change mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura J. Sonter & Marie C. Dade & James E. M. Watson & Rick K. Valenta, 2020. "Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17928-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17928-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Lèbre, Éléonore & Owen, John R. & Kemp, Deanna & Valenta, Rick K., 2022. "Complex orebodies and future global metal supply: An introduction," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Qi, Chu & Zeng, Xianglong & Wang, Yongjian & Li, Hongguang, 2022. "Adaptive time window convolutional neural networks concerning multiple operation modes with applications in energy efficiency predictions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    3. Emblemsvåg, Jan, 2022. "Wind energy is not sustainable when balanced by fossil energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    4. Femke J. M. M. Nijsse & Jean-Francois Mercure & Nadia Ameli & Francesca Larosa & Sumit Kothari & Jamie Rickman & Pim Vercoulen & Hector Pollitt, 2023. "The momentum of the solar energy transition," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Daina Paulikas & Steven Katona & Erika Ilves & Saleem H. Ali, 2022. "Deep‐sea nodules versus land ores: A comparative systems analysis of mining and processing wastes for battery‐metal supply chains," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 2154-2177, December.
    6. Su, Min & Wang, Qiang & Li, Rongrong & Wang, Lili, 2022. "Per capita renewable energy consumption in 116 countries: The effects of urbanization, industrialization, GDP, aging, and trade openness," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    7. Jose Antonio Garrido Torres & Vahe Gharakhanyan & Nongnuch Artrith & Tobias Hoffmann Eegholm & Alexander Urban, 2021. "Augmenting zero-Kelvin quantum mechanics with machine learning for the prediction of chemical reactions at high temperatures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    8. Roos, Andreas, 2022. "Global asymmetries in the rise of solar power: An LCA-based account of ecologically unequal exchange between Germany and China 2002–2018," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    9. Chien, Fengsheng & Sadiq, Muhammad & Li, Li & Sharif, Arshian, 2023. "The role of sustainable energy utility, natural resource utilization and waste management in reducing energy poverty: Evidence from South Asian countries," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    10. Ottonelli, Janaina & Lazaro, Lira Luz Benites & Andrade, José Célio Silveira & Abram, Simone, 2023. "Do solar photovoltaic clean development mechanism projects contribute to sustainable development in Latin America? Prospects for the Paris Agreement," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).

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