This week our Third Form are questioning ‘What does the future hold?’ and every lesson throughout the week is directed towards this topic. 

On Tuesday evening we were delighted to welcome back Ben MacLeod (Mo 2014-2019) for a fascinating keynote. Ben, now an Analyst working for a consultancy firm, focuses on conflicts related to natural resources (mostly lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and copper).

Ben cleverly encouraged the Third Form to think about the relatable everyday items of the mobile phone and the cloud.  Students were asked to think about the raw materials involved in each and where they come from.  Soon enough it was easy to realise that the 20 metals in an iPhone originate from across the globe.  Clearly too, the mass need and growth for cloud storage also requires huge amounts of energy and raw materials which many had not previously considered.

The global need to mine raw materials to satisfy demand is challenging. Students were introduced to the many issues from social to economic as well as others such as security, conflict and geopolitical factors.

Students were then highly engaged with a hypothetical case study to introduce giant wind turbines to the Fettes campus, locating them adjacent to Carrington, Kimmerghame and Dalmeny.  In the hypothesis these turbines improved the energy efficiency of the college, supported the local community and created a future revenue stream. Students eagerly volunteered their thoughts highlighting both issues, concerns and benefits.  There were votes for and against the proposals.  Voting was analysed – those in many of the Houses affected had differing views. There were discussions on mitigation, compensation, and equity as well as timescales, disruption and benefits, and modification and further consultation. 

This session provided a hugely useful introduction and exploration of the issues to be considered when raw materials are being sought to satisfy global demand for products and services for the future.

Ben MacLeod graduated with a BA in History from Trinity College, Dublin followed by a Masters in International Development from the University of Cambridge.  He is now an Analyst – working for a consultancy firm focussing on conflicts related to natural resources. At Fettes Ben was a school prefect, he was both academic and sporting and made the most of his time. He was vice captain of the 1^st XV and vice captain of the 1^st XI cricket team, he was also in the 1^st XI hockey and 1^st football. 

Thank you to Ben for coming back to speak with the Third Form.