rare earths & the "green" movement, page-2

"Only the environmental community has the bona fides and clout to craft and pass regulations that can strike a balance which harmonizes environmental protection with the mining of these green technology metals."

The fact that there are vocal and aggresive miscreants operating in various environmental groups means that reasonable and science-based supporters should be prepared to be vocal as well and publicly distance themselves from the actions of the miscreants. Else, all will be tarred by the same brush.

Also, the fact that there are weak-willed politicians too lazy/stupid/whatever to learn of the facts, pros and cons before making their decisions means that these politicians are the weakest link. So don't be surprised that the vicious extremists are fully aware of the situation and are fully prepared to exploit any opportunity arising from the politicians' weaknesses.

The result is invariably serious delay or termination of needed progress for humanity and undermining better ways of caring for the environment.

LYC's TOL delay is a good example. Eventually reason prevailed. But until then there has been a waste of scarce resources (including time, community goodwill, social capital, etc.)