Mining for the Climate

Blue Lab

Behind every solar panel, wind turbine and electric vehicle is at least one mine and a community that has been altered by it. Mining for the Climate peels back the photovoltaic cell and peers under the hood to get to know the people and places impacted by the rush to mine critical minerals. In the process, we take a hard look at the stories told about climate change, mining and the energy transition, and we consider less mining-dependent futures. Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It’s a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. To learn more about Mining for the Climate and Blue Lab’s other environmental projects and series visit: http://bluelab.princeton.edu/ read less

Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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Episode 1: White Gold Rush

Episode 1: White Gold Rush

A few stories about critical minerals have dominated the news lately: “We must mine to save the planet;” “China is taking over rare-earth elements;” “EVs are leading the green revolution.” These stories lay the groundwork for a future that is unquestionably mining intensive. However, does every mine need to be built? The proposed lithium mine in Gaston County, North Carolina, has not broken ground and it’s already causing significant disruptions for residents. So how dangerous is the idea of a mine? Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It’s a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Juan Manuel Rubio Hosted by Juan Manuel Rubio Sound design by Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com) and Pryor Meadows Audio Clip Credits A Look At Lithium Mining, CNN, 2022 Behind the First All-Electric Truck Company, Rivian, CBS Mornings, 2022 Chevron Back in Court for Worst Case of Oil Pollution on the Planet, The Real News Network, 2015 Critical Mineral Mining Sees Unprecedented Growth Fueled by Clean Energy Demand, CNBC, 2023 How Critical Minerals Are Vital to the Climate Fight, ABC News, 2022 In Major Win for Indigenous Rights, Ecuador Votes to Ban Oil Drilling in Protected Amazon Lands, Democracy Now, 2023 Last Look: The Green Transition Will Trigger a New Race for Natural Resources, CNN, 2022 Neighbors Speak out against Piedmont Lithium Mine Plan, 2021 Special Report : Inside the Congo Cobalt Mines That Exploit Children, Sky News, 2017 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.

Episodes

Episode 1: White Gold Rush

Episode 1: White Gold Rush

A few stories about critical minerals have dominated the news lately: “We must mine to save the planet;” “China is taking over rare-earth elements;” “EVs are leading the green revolution.” These stories lay the groundwork for a future that is unquestionably mining intensive. However, does every mine need to be built? The proposed lithium mine in Gaston County, North Carolina, has not broken ground and it’s already causing significant disruptions for residents. So how dangerous is the idea of a mine? Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It’s a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Juan Manuel Rubio Hosted by Juan Manuel Rubio Sound design by Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com) and Pryor Meadows Audio Clip Credits A Look At Lithium Mining, CNN, 2022 Behind the First All-Electric Truck Company, Rivian, CBS Mornings, 2022 Chevron Back in Court for Worst Case of Oil Pollution on the Planet, The Real News Network, 2015 Critical Mineral Mining Sees Unprecedented Growth Fueled by Clean Energy Demand, CNBC, 2023 How Critical Minerals Are Vital to the Climate Fight, ABC News, 2022 In Major Win for Indigenous Rights, Ecuador Votes to Ban Oil Drilling in Protected Amazon Lands, Democracy Now, 2023 Last Look: The Green Transition Will Trigger a New Race for Natural Resources, CNN, 2022 Neighbors Speak out against Piedmont Lithium Mine Plan, 2021 Special Report : Inside the Congo Cobalt Mines That Exploit Children, Sky News, 2017 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.

Episode 2: Land Histories and Futures

Episode 2: Land Histories and Futures

Building a mine requires a substantial amount of land. This episode investigates the tactics used by Piedmont Lithium to accumulate a critical amount of land for its operations. We take listeners to visit burned-out houses and empty lots and to meet the neighbors who sold and those who remain. Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It’s a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Max Widmann Hosted by Max Widmann Sound design by Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com), Shake that Little Foot and Pryor Meadows Shady Grove by Shake That Little Foot is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License Audio Clip Credits Senator Thom Tillis at Piedmont Lithium HQ Open House, Piedmont Lithium, 2022 Gaston County Board of Commissioners October 24, 2023 Meeting, Gaston County Government, 2023 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.

Episode 3: The Body of the Mine

Episode 3: The Body of the Mine

Like a body, a mine has its own metabolism. It consumes water, trees and energy, and it releases chemicals, carbon and wastewater. These metabolic processes are supposed to be hidden: few want to see, hear, smell or taste a mine in operation. Unearthing the body of the mine, we ask how Piedmont Lithium highlights certain aspects of the mine’s processes while directing attention away from others. Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It's a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Alex Norbrook and Juan Manuel Rubio Hosted by Alex Norbrook Sound design by Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com), Shake that Little Foot and Pryor Meadows Shady Grove by Shake That Little Foot is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License Audio Clip Credits Gaston County Board of Commissioners July 20, 2021, Gaston County Government, 2021 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.

Episode 4: A Tale of Two Ranchers

Episode 4: A Tale of Two Ranchers

Many residents of Gaston County make their living through farming and ranching. We meet a cattle and a horse rancher whose livelihoods and animals are threatened by the mine. Both women are doing everything in their power to stop the mine and maintain their way of life. Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It's a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Grace Wang Hosted by Grace Wang Sound design by Grace Wang and Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com), Shake that Little Foot, Pryor Meadows and Olexy Shady Grove by Shake That Little Foot is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.

Episode 5: Forking Paths

Episode 5: Forking Paths

The road ahead for the Carolina Lithium project seems uncertain. In this final episode, we look at the greatest obstacle confronting Piedmont Lithium: convincing the Gaston County Board of Commissioners to approve their rezoning request. Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It's a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University. Episode Credits Written by Nate Otjen Hosted by Nate Otjen Sound design by Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com), Shake that Little Foot and Pryor Meadows Shady Grove by Shake That Little Foot is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 International License Audio Clip Credits More Mobility with Less Mining, Climate and Community, 2023 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.