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Earth's Copper Supply Inadequate For Development?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the sky-is-falling dept.

ScentCone writes "Pennies, pipes, untold miles of CAT5 - they tie up a lot of copper. Unlike abundant iron and aluminum, copper is relatively scarce. But it's vital to electricity generation/transmission, plumbing, and other uses central to a modern standard of living. Scientific American is providing a quick overview of the situation. They report the conclusion that there simply isn't enough available. Canada, Mexico and the US average 170kg of copper use per person, and the most generous estimates suggest that only 1.6 billion unused metric tons exist. More reclamation and use of fiber, wireless, and PVC helps - but won't be enough to cover the billions of people who don't yet live in highly wired/mechanized societies."

8 of 838 comments (clear)

  1. Past peak copper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I urge everyone to see Stephen Gaghan's: Copperica, about the global reach, power structures and conspiracy of the copper elite. People die everyday over Cat5e.

  2. Mr. President, we must not allow... by Yahweh+Doesn't+Exist · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...a copper gap!

  3. Monster by Bimo_Dude · · Score: 5, Funny

    If this shortage is going to be as they say in the article, I could just see the ads for Monster Cable... "Our newest premium cable! New! Gold cable with copper connectors, just $199.99!"

    --
    "Teleporting Rodents with D-Cell Battery Displacement" theory -- IgnoramusMaximus (692000)
  4. Just use lead-lined clay, like the ancient Romans by csoto · · Score: 4, Funny

    It never hurt anybody...

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    There exists no way of exchanging information without making judgments. --Bene Gesserit Axiom
  5. Re:Indentured Childhood by Lost+Penguin · · Score: 5, Funny

    strip the wire?
    we had to chew the insulation off, in the snow . . .

    --
    I am the unwilling control for my Origin.
  6. Re:Pennies must go! by The+Spoonman · · Score: 4, Funny

    While we're at it, get rid of the dollar bill.

    Noooo! They did that in Canada, and now I have to give the strippers either loonies or toonies! I wanna slip paper into those g-strings, dammit! :)

    --
    Which is more painful? Going to work or gouging your eye out with a spoon? Find out!
    http://www.workorspoon.com
  7. Re:Indentured Childhood by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    chew the insulation off?
    I had to eat the wire, go work in the field, and collect the deinsulated wire from the outhouse.

  8. Re:Pennies must go! by The+Spoonman · · Score: 4, Funny

    Ah, you never been to Canada. They don't stay on very long anyway. All nude, all alcohol, all smoking! Nekkid chicks the way they're supposed to be seen! LOL!

    --
    Which is more painful? Going to work or gouging your eye out with a spoon? Find out!
    http://www.workorspoon.com