As 2017 progressed, the ice bergs continued to melt, the state of the Great Barrier Reef worsened, and the endangered species list grew. However, a smaller-scale concern also took place: though not widely talked about in the media, the world’s helium supply is slowly beginning to dwindle.

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According to Wired Magazine, the world uses eight billion cubic feet of this gas yearly, and our helium supply is not infinite. Helium cannot be produced artificially and is a byproduct of decaying rock. Scientists mainly depend on large pockets of helium, that have been expanding and growing for years. 

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However, humans are not the only contributor to this

slow decline. The Earth also has no way to keep the

helium gas within its atmosphere, so once it escapes,

it will slowly float into space, never to be collected.

Not to mention that the collection process is not all

that simple, in itself.  

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Helium’s importance reaches farther than simply

birthday balloons and festivities, (although prices of

balloons are steadily rising and will only continue to). In its liquid form, helium plays a crucial role in the safe use of much medical and scientific equipment. For example, the magnets in MRI machines must be kept at a temperature very near absolute zero. And as it so happens, helium is used to achieve this. We also see helium’s important role in radiation monitors, anti-terrorist operations, satellites, spacecraft, telescopes, and nuclear reactors. And finally, helium allows us to explore the deep sea, as it is a main ingredient in scuba tanks.

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Helium’s importance is not often talked about, but life without it would require a huge adjustment, that would set advances back by years. It is up to people to ration the world’s helium intake, so we can save it for as long as possible. Helium must be protected, and actions taken to avoid this subtle catastrophe from becoming a much more prominent reality. And luckily, some time is available to figure that out. A large helium pocket was discovered in Tanzania in 2016, and about seven times the national intake was found. We may have time to spare, but we will run out of helium. The importance of the gas is too large to overlook, and if precautions are taken now, the Earth’s time with helium in its atmosphere will greatly increase. Be aware and help to protect this noble gas!