Extraction

In the fight against climate change, lithium's role in reducing emissions by powering green economies is a mixed blessing. Drawing on ground-breaking fieldwork in Chile, Nevada and Portugal, Thea Riofrancos explores the environmental and social costs of the global race to expand lithium mining amid supply chain concerns. Tracing the history of global extraction, Riofrancos examines how mining harms landscapes, provokes protest, takes centre stage in national politics and links small countries to huge corporations, commodity markets and powerful investors. While an unregulated mining boom could inflict irreversible harm, Riofrancos offers compelling ideas about how to harmonise climate action with social justice. Across the world’s extractive frontiers, we encounter the most brutal aspects of capitalism—but also witness inspiring visions for our planetary future