The Climate Minute

Mining and recycling are two sides of a coin: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode 6)

Increasing demand for electric vehicles means increasing demand for lithium. New mining is damaging, but recycling lithium will reduce that damage. We speak with an expert on the benefits of recycling, but also consider the concrete steps we should take now to ensure a robust recapture process in the future.

Ends, Means, Nonviolence and Lithium: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode 5)

One philosophical approach says that how we mine lithium is just as important as why we mine it. The ‘end’ of a green economy is tied to the means we use to get there. We speak with an expert who tells us that nonviolence is a good tool to use in thinking about how we make the just transition to a new energy economy.

A lithium mine threatens Thacker Pass: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode 4)

As the global demand for new lithium surges, a pristine spot in Nevada is slated for an open pit lithium mine. An ongoing encampment at Thacker Pass offers resistance. Listen in to activist and author Max Wilbert, who raises difficult questions such as: When we speak of sustainability, are we sustaining life, or just a life-style?

Troubling facts about lithium mining: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode 3)

 If we don’t recycle it, then we must mine new lithium. We speak with an expert from EarthWorks on the troubling truth that lithium mining, from brine or ‘hard rock’ is damaging to local environments and communities.  We discuss how to tell if your lithium is responsibly sourced.

Lithium at the critical juncture: The Climate Minute's Lithium Series (Episode2)

Mining lithium for EV batteries puts the tradeoff of green transport and local environmental damage in high relief. We talk to an expert who has studied the question. Her advice is to look at the current moment as a 'critical juncture' that will define our path into the decarbonized future, but also to try to imagine a middle ground where we have a green society that does not destroy local habitats. 

Looking at the Energy Transition through the Lithium Lens: The Climate Minute Lithium Series

As heat waves and floods assault us, humans are in the midst of a great societal energy transition. We must find ways to decarbonize. The question is no longer if, but rather how, to build the clean energy system we need. The coming changes are so broad that they can be hard to comprehend. It is helpful to narrow the discussion. In this series of podcasts, we study the big question of how to build a new future thru the lens of a specific issue: the production and use of lithium. Listen in as we dip our toes into the oceans of questions about how to build a just energy transition. 

Peak days need a shave! The Climate Minute

It turns out that those hot humid August days are great opportunities to take climate action.  We talk with an expert about how to cut carbon emissions and save money, by participating in Green Energy Consumer Alliance's "Shave the Peak" program. It is free and will make you feel better about the heat.

Advice on how to lobby your elected: The Climate Minute

Climate activist can take advantage of opportunities to speak with their elected officials.  Lobbying can seem intimidating. What is the best way to do it?  We talk to a legislator about what he hopes to hear from people who come to talk to him about pending legislation.

Theologia Solis: The Climate Minute

 How do you build a moral code based on principles the Sun has ‘taught’ us? How can we incorporate scientific lessons about ecological systems into our lives?

Green Prophets, Climate Saints and Eco-Bodhisattvas: The Climate Minute

Climate change demands rethinking of our moral, ethical and perhaps even religious stance to life. Recently we  posted discussion on how reasonable a solar deity actually is. This episode examines the pantheon of minor deities to ready to help us.