Nickel Demand Poses Threat to Tropical Biodiversity Hotspots
A global modeling study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution highlights the environmental challenges posed by increasing nickel demand for clean energy technologies. The study, conducted by an international team of environmental scientists, examines the implications of expanding nickel mining in tropical regions, which are rich in biodiversity and carbon storage. Nickel resources are primarily found in laterite deposits in tropical areas like Indonesia, New Caledonia, and the Philippines, and magmatic sulfide deposits in higher latitudes such as Australia, Canada, and Russia. The study warns that the expansion of nickel mining could lead to significant environmental disturbances, including habitat loss and increased carbon emissions, particularly in tropical regions. 
