The key action required to combat climate change is decarbonization, we need to stop extracting fossil fuel-based energy sources out of the ground. But to do this we need to extract other metal resources out of the ground.
Graham Bird will explain how we can manage this seeming paradox in his inaugural public lecture since being made a Professor at Bangor University. The public lecture takes place in the Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre, Bangor University at 6.00pm on Wednesday 24 January 2024.
As Graham explains
“Low carbon technologies, such renewable energy and electric vehicle technology, are key to decarbonization. Ironically, this technology requires us to use a number of metal resources such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, and we are going to have extract these resources out of the ground.
Whilst there is a potential environmental risk associated with our quest for metals to resource low carbon technology, research also shows that these impacts in modern mining operations can be managed and associated lands remediated. We also need to consider the scale of impacts associated with mineral extraction and global climate change.
In my talk, I will explain the growth in demand for minerals to resource, low energy technology, exemplify the environmental impacts that may arise, but also the progress that has been made in prevention and remediation of such impacts.”
Graham Bird is the Associate pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at Bangor University, as well as being the Director of Teaching and Learning for the College of Science and Engineering and Deputy Head of School for the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences.
He is a physical geographer and more specifically an environmental geochemist. Graham’s research generally lies in the field of environmental geochemistry, with a particular interest in the impact of contemporary and historical metal mining and metallurgy on the environment and human health. His work has focused on the UK but also includes locations such as Bulgaria, Canada, Indonesia, Kosovo and Romania. His recent research has focused on the processes through which environmental impacts occur and the modelling the global impact.
This is one of a number of inaugural professorial lectureships which the University has reinstated. The inaugural lecture takes place at the Eric Sunderland Lecture Theatre and is free and open to all.
