Heavy Metal Climate Change

The Economist reminds environmental utopians of the limited supply of rare metals (dysprosium and neodymium) needed for the high-powered magnets in “green” motors:

…if wind turbines and electric vehicles are going to fulfil the role environmental planners have assigned them in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, using current technologies would require an increase in the supply of neodymium and dysprosium of more than 700% and 2,600% respectively during the next 25 years. At the moment, the supply of these metals is increasing by 6% a year. To match the three researchers’ projections it would actually have to increase by 8% a year for neodymium and 14% for dysprosium.

Related at Tatler: Roger L. Simon with The High Cost of Winding.