As described in his two mining-based case studies, LeCain discusses three major types of technofixes, all with positives and negatives but ultimately not affective for long-term, consequence free solutions. Although mitigation techniques have greatly improved, seem to be on an exponential pattern of growth and are certainly a focus amongst industrial corporations, they remain shallow and self-serving for said corporations and therefore the environment will always feel the brunt of human’s advancements and luxury (LeCain p. 137). Through all three approaches discussed (transformational, re-locational, and delaying) consequences become increasingly more threatening and difficult to address as the technology increases. Transformational techno-fixes simply create a new issue to be dealt with, re-locational pushes issues else-where and out of sight and delaying, as the name suggests, simply avoids the manifestation of the consequence until it can no longer be avoided or ignored. Therefore, they are shallow and short term, having no regard for second hand consequences as a new band aid can always be invented and are extremely guilty of kowtowing to please interest and political groups for material benefits such as funding.
Although the reality of the damages to the earth derived from the acquisition of natural resources of all kinds are truly tremendous and disturbing, it is also the reality that we have yet to discover any type of energy resource that has absolutely no long-term effects on the environment or other systems. Even solar energy collection takes industrial manufacturing of solar panels and for distribution that rely on more “dirty” energy sources.