Raw materials-why should they ever run out?

Modern technology is leading to great economies in the use of raw materials so that yesterday's shortages no longer exist. Some years ago, there was so much copper in electronic devices and communication links that supplies ran short. Now we use very small quantities of silicon, which is one of the most abundant elements on the Earth's crust. Millions of integrated circuits and the expected world expansion in personal communications will have a negligible impact on world resources. Other examples taken from energy and transport show a similar trend. It appears that, as we learn more, and engineers become more expert at making use of what we have, so our needs change and yesterday's shortage becomes today's abundance. Engineers can help this happen. Unnecessary restrictions on the use of raw materials, in the mistaken belief that they are going to run out in a few years time, is a mistake. Let us concentrate on making the best use of all the resources and raw materials available in the most efficient way, so as to make a world providing a good standard of living for all its population.