Leading chemists from around the world have warned that scarce natural resources, such as phosphate minerals mined for fertilisers, are “dwindling at an alarming rate” and shortages could hit within a generation. (See Nature’s coverage of the phosphate crisis here and here.)

Five scientific societies, including the Chinese Chemical Society, the German Chemical Society, and the UK’s Royal Society of Chemistry, warn in a report today that falling supplies of these essential elements are “a potentially more pressing concern than the decreasing supply of oil.”

“Little public awareness exists about the uncertain supplies of these key materials that we face today, and the potential future shortages. Secure, adequate supplies of these materials are essential for production of food, medicines, computers, and hundreds of other products,” adds Nancy Jackson, president of the American Chemical Society, which also contributed to the report.

The chemists call for legislation to regulate the supply and use of scarce natural resources, and for investment in research to develop sustainable technologies to help recycle and replace their use. For example, they suggest new methods and materials to extract phosphorus from soil, rivers and oceans could be developed.

Other elements in short supply include lithium, a key component of batteries and platinum, used in fuel cells and as catalysts.

“We must act now if we are to be able to respond when shortages occur,” the report says.

“The chemist has a mandate to counsel society on the possible solutions that can be achieved through chemistry,” says Ryoji Noyori, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in chemistry, in the report.

Picture ref: Wikipedia