The War Below

1. A Rare Plant's Discovery Sparks a Green Energy Dilemma

Thus, the paradox: What matters more, the plant or the lithium beneath it?

Emblematic of stark choices. Jerry Tiehm's discovery of Tiehm's buckwheat, a plant found nowhere else on Earth, atop a massive lithium deposit in Nevada, highlights the conflict between environmental preservation and the growing demand for resources needed for green energy technologies. This situation encapsulates the broader challenge of balancing ecological concerns with the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels.

The green energy transition's cost. The push for renewable energy sources like electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines requires vast quantities of metals like lithium, copper, and nickel. These resources are often located in ecologically sensitive areas, forcing difficult decisions about which values to prioritize.

A global reflection. The United States, with its high energy consumption, must confront the environmental consequences of its green energy ambitions. This dilemma extends globally, as countries like China grapple with balancing economic growth and environmental protection.

2. Sacred Lands Clash with the Thirst for Copper

If I want to go there and be able to pray there, I should have that right. And I don’t want no foreign company to come in and tell me, ‘No, you can’t do that.’

Apache Leap's legacy. The proposed Resolution Copper mine in Arizona, which would require the destruction of Chi’chil Biłldagoteel (Oak Flat), a site sacred to the San Carlos Apache, exemplifies the clash between economic development and Indigenous rights. The Apache consider the land home to angels and religious deities, and have conducted ceremonies there for generations.

Copper's essential role. Copper is vital for the green energy transition, used extensively in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. The Resolution Copper deposit is one of the largest untapped copper deposits in the world, potentially supplying a quarter of the copper consumed annually in the United States.

A difficult balance. The conflict between the need for copper and the preservation of sacred Indigenous sites raises fundamental questions about whose values should take precedence. The situation highlights the complex ethical considerations involved in pursuing a green energy future.

3. Ethical Mining Standards Emerge as a Necessity

We understood that we could use the power of the Tiffany brand to raise awareness. When a prestigious brand like Tiffany says something, that carries weight.

Tiffany's commitment to responsible sourcing. Tiffany & Co.'s journey toward ethical mining practices demonstrates the growing importance of responsible sourcing in the jewelry industry. Recognizing the lack of global mining standards, Tiffany took steps to ensure its metals were extracted and processed responsibly.

The Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA). Tiffany and Earthworks co-founded IRMA, a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together mining companies, customers, environmental groups, Indigenous groups, and labor unions to set standards for responsible mining. IRMA's standards cover a range of issues, including water quality, worker health and safety, and Indigenous consent.

Transparency and accountability. IRMA's audits and public reporting provide transparency and accountability in the mining industry. By setting clear standards and verifying compliance, IRMA helps consumers make informed choices and encourages mining companies to improve their practices.

4. The Environmental Cost of "Green" Solutions

You sell blood diamonds, too.

The hidden costs of green technology. The pursuit of renewable energy and electric vehicles often overlooks the environmental and social costs associated with mining the necessary materials. The extraction and processing of lithium, copper, nickel, and rare earths can have significant environmental impacts, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Leaf blowers as an example. The seemingly innocuous gasoline-powered leaf blower illustrates the environmental trade-offs involved in everyday products. These devices emit more pollutants than cars, highlighting the need to consider the full life cycle of green technologies.

The need for a holistic approach. A truly sustainable energy future requires a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and social impacts of all stages of the supply chain, from mining to manufacturing to disposal. This includes promoting responsible mining practices, reducing consumption, and investing in recycling and reuse.

5. Local Communities Caught in the Crossfire

What’s sacred to my community is that people have a job and have a home.

Economic needs vs. environmental concerns. The debate over mining projects often pits local communities seeking economic opportunities against environmentalists concerned about ecological damage. The town of Superior, Arizona, torn between the promise of jobs from the Resolution Copper mine and the San Carlos Apache's fight to protect their sacred site, exemplifies this conflict.

The promise of jobs. Mining companies often promise to bring jobs and economic prosperity to struggling communities. However, these promises can be difficult to fulfill, and the long-term economic benefits of mining may not outweigh the environmental and social costs.

The importance of community engagement. Mining companies must engage with local communities and address their concerns in a meaningful way. This includes providing fair compensation for land use, protecting water resources, and minimizing environmental impacts.

6. The Geopolitics of Green Energy Metals

A key component of the transition away from fossil fuels that we have to make is to get electrification transportation done. It’s going to be resource-intensive, and if other nations—especially our rivals—see we have a deep vulnerability in this area, they are going to take advantage of us.

Energy security shifts. Energy security is no longer solely about oil and natural gas; it now encompasses lithium, copper, and other metals essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. The United States faces the risk of transitioning from dependence on OPEC for oil to dependence on China and other nations for green energy building blocks.

China's dominance. China controls a significant portion of the global supply chain for critical minerals, including rare earths, lithium processing, and battery manufacturing. This dominance raises concerns about U.S. energy independence and national security.

The need for diversified supply chains. The United States must secure reliable and sustainable supplies of critical minerals from diverse sources to prevent geopolitical rivals from controlling the green energy transition. This includes investing in domestic mining and processing, as well as building partnerships with allied nations.

7. The Promise and Peril of Lithium Extraction in Nevada

A key component of the transition away from fossil fuels that we have to make is to get electrification transportation done. It’s going to be resource-intensive, and if other nations—especially our rivals—see we have a deep vulnerability in this area, they are going to take advantage of us.

Rhyolite Ridge's potential. The Rhyolite Ridge lithium project in Nevada represents a significant opportunity for the United States to increase its domestic lithium production. The project could supply enough lithium to build hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles annually.

Environmental concerns. The project faces strong opposition from environmentalists due to its potential impact on Tiehm's buckwheat, a rare plant found nowhere else on Earth. The conflict highlights the trade-offs between economic development and environmental preservation.

The search for sustainable solutions. Ioneer, the company developing Rhyolite Ridge, is exploring ways to minimize the project's environmental impact, including transplanting Tiehm's buckwheat and using innovative mining techniques. The project's success hinges on finding a balance between lithium production and environmental protection.

8. The Push for Domestic Mining and Processing

This country has to make a decision. We’re so pristine in America, we think someone else will do the dirty work of mining for us. But we’re just in a very, very vulnerable position.

Energy independence. The United States seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals by increasing domestic mining and processing. This goal is driven by concerns about supply chain security, economic competitiveness, and national security.

The Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act links electric vehicle tax credits to domestic production of EV minerals, incentivizing automakers to source materials from the United States or its free trade partners. However, the act has faced criticism for its potential to take years to find adequate metals supply in the United States.

Opposition to mining. Despite the need for more domestic mining, many proposed projects face strong opposition from environmentalists, neighbors, and Indigenous groups. This opposition has created a chilling effect on U.S. mine development, forcing the country to rely on imports.

9. Recycling's Role in a Sustainable Future

You can’t have green energy without mining. That’s just the reality.

Recycling as a solution. Recycling lithium-ion batteries and other electronic waste can help reduce the need for new mining projects. Recycling can recover valuable metals like lithium, copper, nickel, and cobalt, which can then be used to manufacture new batteries and other products.

Challenges to recycling. Despite its potential, lithium-ion battery recycling faces several challenges, including the lack of infrastructure, the complexity of battery chemistries, and the cost of transportation. The United States lags behind China in battery recycling capacity.

The circular economy. A circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded, is essential for a sustainable future. By investing in recycling infrastructure and promoting responsible consumption, the United States can reduce its reliance on mining and minimize environmental impacts.

10. The Dream of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE)

We want to figure out what are limiting factors for accelerating the advent of a sustainable energy future and whatever those limiting factors are, Tesla will take action on those limiting factors.

A promising technology. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies offer the potential to extract lithium from brine resources more efficiently and with less environmental impact than traditional evaporation ponds. DLE can reduce water consumption, minimize land disturbance, and accelerate the production process.

Challenges to DLE. Despite its promise, DLE technology faces several challenges, including high capital costs, technical complexities, and the need for site-specific optimization. No DLE technology has yet been proven at commercial scale.

The Salton Sea. The Salton Sea in California is a promising location for DLE due to its vast geothermal brine resources. However, technical challenges and regulatory hurdles have hindered the development of DLE projects in the region.

11. Balancing Environmental Protection and Resource Needs

This country has to make a decision. We’re so pristine in America, we think someone else will do the dirty work of mining for us. But we’re just in a very, very vulnerable position.

A difficult choice. The United States faces a difficult choice between protecting its environment and securing the resources needed for the green energy transition. Finding a balance between these competing priorities requires careful consideration of the environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits of each project.

The need for a national strategy. The United States needs a clear and coherent national strategy for critical minerals that balances environmental protection with resource development. This strategy should include investments in domestic mining and processing, as well as research and development of innovative technologies like DLE.

A collective reflection. The green energy transition requires a collective reflection on what society is willing to accept and what it is expecting. This includes engaging with local communities, respecting Indigenous rights, and minimizing environmental impacts.

Last updated: March 29, 2025