Transitioning from gas cars to electric ones will help reduce carbon emissions.
The destruction of peat bog ecosystems could release a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. (Raman, 2022)
An access road and mining in the Ring of Fire would bring more economic activity and accessibility to First Nations communities. (Casey, 2023)
Legend
Green - Natural
Blue - Human
Yellow - Interrelationship
EV Battery Plants
Because of the Volkswagen and Stellantis plants, demand for nickel in Ontario is expected to soar. (Casey, 2023) Nickel is one of the critical minerals required for EV battery production.
The provincial government wants to be able to source the Nickel from within the province, from projects like the Ring of Fire. (Casey, 2023)
The abundance of nickel, copper, and platinum has piqued interest in the region from mining companies, and the Ford Provincial government. (Casey, 2023)
The peatland ecosystem currently provides food for the First Nations communities in the area. They have access to caribou, ducks, berries, and more, which sustain them so that very few people engage in the wage economy. (Gamble, 2022)
There are concerns that mining will damage the peatlands. (Raman, 2022)
Wyloo, the primary interested mining company, has promised to minimize the environmental impacts of development. They say they will safely bury all their tailings (Casey, 2023), and do their mining underground, as opposed to in an open pit mine. (Gamble, 2022)
