TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– The paper seeks to review the undesirable side‐effects of some measures to protect the environment, particularly the results of increased demand for certain metals used in hybrid cars and wind turbines, and for tantalum for mobile phones. The increased demands for indium and lithium due to technical developments are also discussed although they do not pose corresponding dilemmas.Design/methodology/approach– The aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.Findings– Undesirable side‐effects need to be considered, though means of overcoming them are not always apparent.Practical implications– In the case of tantalum and mobile phones, attention has been given to ethical sourcing. The possibility of indium extraction in the UK is a welcome development.Originality/value– It is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
VL  - 40
IS  - 9/10
SN  - 0368-492X
DO  - 10.1108/03684921111169567
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/03684921111169567
AU  - Andrew Alex M.
PY  - 2011
Y1  - 2011/01/01
TI  - Rare elements and ecology
T2  - Kybernetes
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 1547
EP  - 1549
Y2  - 2024/05/14
ER  -