ENGLISH DIGEST 實用美語(空中美語)

‘Rare Earths:’ not so rare, highly controversial 從電動車到國防武器 「稀土」為何讓各國搶破頭？

When we use phones, laptops, or wireless earbuds, we rarely pause to ask what makes these devices so light, efficient and powerful. Hidden inside them are “rare earth elements” (REEs), indispensable to modern life yet central to global controversy.

REEs are a group of 17 similar metals that are difficult to tell apart. First identified in the late 18th century, they were known as rare earths because early chemists found them in unusual mineral deposits and believed them to be scarce. In fact, despite the name, many REEs are about as abundant in Earth’s crust as copper or lead. What makes them difficult to obtain is that they are rarely found in high concentrations, are usually mixed together and are hard to separate from ores and one another.

Today, REEs have become the vitamins of modern industry. They possess exceptional electrical, magnetic and other physical properties that ordinary metals cannot match. Some help create powerful permanent magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines, while others contribute to the bright, vivid colors seen on digital screens. REEs also play a crucial role in advanced technologies, from clean energy to national defense.

Photo: Freepik / 照片：Freepik

Refining rare earths, however, comes at a steep environmental cost, as the process generates toxic acids, radioactive wastewater and chemical waste capable of contaminating soil and groundwater. As environmental regulations have tightened in the West, the industry has gradually shifted toward countries more willing and able to absorb these burdens. In this evolving landscape, China channeled state resources into every stage of the supply chain, and today it controls the lion’s share of both mining and processing. As a result, rare earth supply chains have become a geopolitical chessboard, attracting heightened attention whenever trade tensions intensify between Washington and Beijing.

For Taiwan, a global center of technology-intensive manufacturing, these elements represent a strategic reality. If our technological infrastructure and thus our political security depend on these materials, we can no longer afford to treat our devices as though their convenience carried no environmental or political price. The next time you pick up your phone, reconsider its true cost.

當我們使用手機、筆記型電腦或無線耳機時，我們很少停下來探問是什麼讓這些設備如此輕巧、高效又功能強大。隱藏在它們之中的正是「稀土元素」（REEs），它們對現代生活不可或缺，卻也是全球爭議的核心。

稀土元素是一組由17種相似且難以區分的金屬所組成的元素。它們最早於西元18世紀末被發現，被稱為稀土是因為早期的化學家們在不常見的礦床中發現它們，並認為它們很稀少。事實上，儘管名稱如此，許多稀土元素在地殼中的含量與銅或鉛差不多。讓它們難以取得的原因在於它們很少以高濃度形式被發現，通常混合在一起，且難以從礦石以及彼此之間分離出來。

今日，稀土元素已成為現代工業的維生素。它們擁有普通金屬無法比擬的卓越導電性、磁性和其他物理特性。有些幫助製造電動車和風力發電機用的強力永久磁鐵，而有些則讓數位螢幕呈現鮮明亮麗的色彩。稀土元素在從乾淨能源到國防等先進技術中也扮演著關鍵角色。

然而，提煉稀土會帶來沉重的環境代價，因為該過程會產生有毒的酸、放射性廢水，以及可能污染土壤和地下水的化學廢棄物。隨著西方國家的環保法規日益嚴格，該產業已逐漸轉向更願意且能夠吸收這些負擔的國家。在這種演變中的局勢下，中國將國家資源投入到供應鏈的各個環節，如今已控制了開採和加工的絕大部分份額。因此，稀土供應鏈已成為地緣政治的棋局，每當華府與北京之間的貿易緊張局勢加劇時，都會吸引高度的關注。

對於身為全球科技密集製造中心的臺灣而言，這些元素代表著一項戰略現實。如果我們的科技基礎建設乃至政治安全都依賴於這些材料，我們便不能再將手中科技產品的便利性視為彷彿毫無環境與政治代價的存在。下一次當你拿起手機時，請重新思考它真正的成本。

MORE INFORMATION

earbud n. 耳塞式耳機（常用複數）

crust n. 硬層；殼

ore n. 礦石；礦砂

turbine n. 渦輪機（利用水流、蒸氣或氣體帶動葉片旋轉，進而產生動力或電力的機械裝置）

clean energy 乾淨能源（指對環境污染較少、碳排放較低的能源，例如太陽能、風力與水力等）

geopolitical adj. 地緣政治的

chessboard n. 西洋棋棋盤

KEY VOCABULARY

1. indispensable adj. 不可或缺的；必須的

The Internet has become an indispensable part of life for most people.

對於多數人來說，網路已經成為生活中不可或缺的一部分。

2. controversy n. 爭議；爭論

controversial adj. 有爭議的

There is a big controversy in Taiwan over whether nuclear power should be used.

臺灣是否該使用核能存有很大的爭議。

3. exceptional adj. 傑出的；特殊的

The scientist made an exceptional contribution to cancer research.

那位科學家對癌症研究做出了卓越的貢獻。

4. refine v. 精煉；提純

The company built a new facility to refine crude oil into fuel.

這家公司建了一座新廠房，用來將原油提煉成燃料。

5. toxic adj. 有毒的

This plant is toxic, so make sure your dog doesn’t eat it.

這種植物有毒，所以一定要確保你的狗不要吃它。

6. radioactive adj. 放射性的

After the nuclear accident, people worried about radioactive pollution in the area.

這場核事故發生後，人們擔心該地區會受到放射性污染。

7. evolve v. 演變；發展；演化

Society’s ideas of what is right and wrong are constantly evolving.

社會對於什麼是對和錯的觀念不斷地在演變。

8. heighten v. 增強；加強

同義字 intensify v. 加劇；強化

Rising prices have heightened public anger in recent months.

物價上漲在近幾個月加深了民眾的憤怒情緒。

9. strategic adj. 戰略上的；策略的

The location of the military base has a lot of strategic value.

這處軍事基地的位置有很高的戰略價值。

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