The Elements of Power : Gadgets, Guns, and the Struggle for a Sustainable Future in the Rare Metal Age

Our future hinges on a set of elements that few of us have even heard of. In this surprising and revealing book, David S. Abraham unveils what rare metals are and why our electronic gadgets, the most powerful armies and indeed the fate of our planet depend on them. These metals have become the building blocks of modern society; their properties are now essential for nearly all our electronic, military, and "green" technologies. But their growing use is not without environmental, economic, and geopolitical consequences. Abraham traces these elements' secreted paths from mines to our living rooms, from the remote hills of China to the frozen Gulf of Finland, providing vivid accounts of those who produce, trade, and rely on rare metals. He argues that these materials are increasingly playing a significant role in global affairs, conferring strength to countries and companies that can ensure sustainable supplies. Just as oil, iron, and bronze revolutionized previous eras, so too will these metals. The challenges this book reveals, and the plans it proposes, make it essential reading for our rare metal age. Our Future Hinges On A Set Of Rare Metals That Few Of Us Have Even Heard Of. In This Eye-opening Book, A Natural Resource Strategist Reveals The Critical Importance Of These Transformative Elements To Our Technological Lifestyle And The Consequences Of Our Reliance Upon Them, Including Geopolitical Instability And Environmental Degradation. To See Our Growing Dependency, You Need Only Look At Your Smartphone: Cerium Buffs The Glass; Indium Allows Your Screen To Respond To Touch; Terbium Makes Images More Vibrant; And Lithium Helps It Store Energy. Abraham Provides Readers With A Front-row Seat To The Life Of These Metals, Tracing The Paths Of These High-tech Elements Through A Dozen Countries From The Mine To Our Pockets. But It's Not Just Smartphones That Rely On These Metals; They Are The Building Blocks Of Modern Society Because They Are Critical For Nearly All Our Electronic, Military, And Green Technologies. Just As Oil, Iron, And Bronze Revolutionized Previous Eras, So Too Will These Metals. The Challenges This Book Reveals, And The Plans It Proposes, Make It Essential Reading For Our Rare Metal Age. 1. Metals, Metals, Everywhere -- 2. National Struggles: Mineral Veins And Battle Lines -- 3. Corporate Hurdles: Monopolies And Investment Incentives -- 4. Production Difficulties: Acid Washes And Talent Drains -- 5. Trading Networks: Smugglers And Supply Hiccups -- 6. Tech Needs: The Electronification Of Everything -- 7. Environmental Needs: Rare Metals Are Green -- 8. War Effort: Hard And Smart Metals -- 9. Sustainable Use: The Environmental Calculus Of The Rare Metal Age -- 10. The War Over The Periodic Table -- 11. How To Prosper In The Rare Metal Age. David S. Abraham. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 231-297) And Index. A natural resource strategist investigates the growing global demand for rare metals and what it means to the environment and our future Our future hinges on a set of elements that few of us have even heard of. In this surprising and revealing book, David S. Abraham unveils what rare metals are and why our electronic gadgets, the most powerful armies, and indeed the fate of our planet depend on them. These metals have become the building blocks of modern society; their properties are now essential for nearly all our electronic, military, and “green” technologies. But their growing use is not without environmental, economic, and geopolitical consequences. Abraham traces these elements'hidden paths from mines to our living rooms, from the remote hills of China to the frozen Gulf of Finland, providing vivid accounts of those who produce, trade, and rely on rare metals. He argues that these materials are increasingly playing a significant role in global affairs, conferring strength to countries and companies that can ensure sustainable supplies. Just as oil, iron, and bronze revolutionized previous eras, so too will these metals. The challenges this book reveals, and the plans it proposes, make it essential reading for our rare metal age.