Rare earth elements are used in many advanced energy technologies, such as wind turbines, electric car batteries and energy-efficient lights, which help to reduce CO2 and other emissions. Rare earth elements are important to both compact fluorescent lighting (CFLs), LED lighting and fiber optics. One emerging technology using rare earth magnets, magnetic refrigeration, could potentially improve the energy efficiency of refrigerators for home and commercial use. Rare earths are critical to our new energy technologies.