The sustainability development challenge has caused an abrupt rise in the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in recent years, as these minerals are critical for the production of low-carbon...Show moreThe sustainability development challenge has caused an abrupt rise in the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in recent years, as these minerals are critical for the production of low-carbon technologies that enable this green transition (e.g., magnet-based turbines, PV solar cells, electric and hybrid vehicles, phosphors for energy-efficient lighting). The REEs is a group of 17 elements listed as Critical Raw Materials by the European Commission, based on their economic importance and their supply risk. In fact, China virtually produces and refines all these minerals worldwide, as well as supplies the EU. This has caused a dangerous relationship of dependency which has raised recent academic concern over the potential geopolitical, environmental, and economic challenges that for both regions might face surrounding REEs in the near future. To what extent might such concern become a reality? This paper will explore current production, supply and demand trends of REEs and analyze the potential recycling and fabrication alternatives that facilitate a sustainable development free from economic and geopolitical disputes over REEs.Show less
Documentaries have a history of being the mouthpiece of the Chinese government; an important medium to present a good image of the country. The Party knows that at the same time a critical...Show moreDocumentaries have a history of being the mouthpiece of the Chinese government; an important medium to present a good image of the country. The Party knows that at the same time a critical documentary can do harm. Nevertheless, especially economic reasons have made the government less rigid on documentary making—the times that the only documentaries in the country were pure Party propaganda is over. Internet has been another influence that weakened Party control. Crowdfunding gives the crowd the possibility to gather together, share ideas and financially support the creation of products. Although through crowdfunding of documentaries a different voice can be heard, the existence of these websites does of course not mean the disappearance of censorship. Therefore we cannot expect a big shift in the democratic potential of documentaries just because of the better possibilities for active audience participation through crowdfunding. Research on recent prohibited documentaries showed most of the banned documentaries regard suppression by the government of citizen rights: the government wants to prevent an upsurge of social tensions. The fact that the documentaries of the case study that address social issues are allowed to be shown across the country backs this. Crowdfunding in China thus does offer more people the opportunity to voice their opinion through documentaries, also critical opinions, but it does not increase the democratic potential in Chinese documentary art.Show less
