The dark side of renewable energy | Earth Journalism Network
Rare earth metals, hardtofind materials, with unfamiliar names such as lanthanum, neodymium and europium, are used in wind and solar energy projects, but dwindling supplies could hinder a rollout of low carbon technologies and slow China''s shift away from coal power. These compounds, which are highly toxic when mined and processed, also take a heavy environmental toll on soil and water ...