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"A dream. It's perfect": Helium discovery in northern Minnesota may be biggest ever in North America (www.cbsnews.com)

submitted 8 months ago by L4s@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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"A dream. It's perfect": Helium discovery in northern Minnesota may be biggest ever in North America::For a century, the U.S. Government-owned the largest helium reserve in the country, but the biggest exporters now are in Russia, Qatar and Tanzania. With this new discovery, Minnesota could be joining that list.

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[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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?

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world -4 points 8 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago

And can you give an example of nonessential purposes we're wasting it on?

[–] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

Per the article, helium escapes Earth naturally; we’re harnessing the only element on Earth that doesn’t stick around anyway.