Riofrancos, a political scientist, highlights that over 20% of new cars sold globally in 2025 were electric, with Chile’s Atacama Desert supplying about a fifth of global lithium.
She describes how lithium extraction disrupts local ecosystems, threatens flamingo populations, and reduces freshwater access for Indigenous communities, while major firms SQM and Albemarle benefit from mining contracts.
Riofrancos urges a holistic energy transition that addresses both decarbonization and the environmental costs of mining, emphasizing the need for community involvement and more equitable global governance.
Can new technology truly make lithium mining clean, or is it just another empty promise?
Is the 'green' battery in your EV destroying one of Earth's most unique ecosystems?
Beyond electric cars, what does a truly just and sustainable energy future look like?
With a new government in Chile, will 'green capitalism' sacrifice communities for profit?
Are voluntary standards like IRMA enough to protect communities from mining's impact?