this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2024
362 points (97.4% liked)
Technology
59161 readers
2158 users here now
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
Our Rules
- Follow the lemmy.world rules.
- Only tech related content.
- Be excellent to each another!
- Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
- Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
- Politics threads may be removed.
- No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
- Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
- Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed
Approved Bots
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
How are we wasting it? Keep in mind that the helium used for stuff like balloons is not the same as the helium used in medical equipment. Also keep in mind that even if it were, the amount of helium used in balloons would be less than 1% of total usage.
So I ask again, how are we wasting it?
https://www.npr.org/2019/11/01/775554343/the-world-is-constantly-running-out-of-helium-heres-why-it-matters
Tldr:
It takes an insanely large timescale for it to be produced on Earth, and it rarely accumulates because it's fucking helium. It's so light that it will literally just float out into outer space as soon as it's vented to the atmosphere.
Using any for nonessential purposes is a waste.
And can you give an example of nonessential purposes we're wasting it on?
Per the article, helium escapes Earth naturally; we’re harnessing the only element on Earth that doesn’t stick around anyway.