Rare metals shortage on the horizon - or not?

The Next Resource Shortage?- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/20/opinion/the-next-resource-shortage.html?_r=0

Rare earths not so rare - Geoffrey Styles of Energy Collective
http://www.theenergycollective.com/geoffrey-styles/2243655/rare-earths-not-so-rare


Two perspectives on rare metals: one warning that we need to pay more attention to rare metals in planning for the future, the other that there are enough rare earths to go around.

"If anything will slow the expansion of wind and solar power, hybrid cars and EVs, and other alternative energy and energy-saving technologies, it is unlikely to be a shortage of rare earths. They may be rare relative to other industrial commodities, but in the small proportions used it seems they are not rare enough to pose more than a temporary bottleneck."

Empty homes outnumber the homeless 6 to 1 in America

Empty homes outnumber the homeless 6 to 1 in America
http://www.mintpressnews.com/empty-homes-outnumber-the-homeless-6-to-1-so-why-not-give-them-homes/207194/

Good GAO article on temporary worker visas in the US

Good GAO article on temporary worker visas in the US
http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/668875.pdf

The article outlines suggestions like a centralized electronic system of employers that includes listing employers "debarred from participation" in the H2A (agricultural) and H2B (non-agricultural) temporary worker visa programs in order to avoid exploitation of workers.

China's empty apartments

China has 64 million empty apartments--enough to house the entire population of France.