While solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions, their production depends on rare earth metals, lithium, and other limited materials. Mining, refining, and disposing of these materials can harm ecosystems, especially in regions with weak labor and environmental regulations. Renewables are often described as clean, but their sustainability depends on responsible supply chains, recycling systems, and reducing total energy demand. Without that, we are simply moving pollution from our air to someone else’s soil and water.