In his article "The Mineral Rush," John Feffer discusses the growing importance of lithium and other critical raw materials in the transition to “clean” energy. He argues that the United States and its allies need to develop a more secure supply of these materials in order to avoid dependence on China. Feffer notes specifically that lithium is essential for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles, laptops, and other electronic devices.
The demand for lithium is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, as more and more countries adopt “clean” energy policies. However, the supply of lithium is limited, and most of it is currently controlled by China and other countries such as Bolivia at the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. The United States and its allies need to develop their own lithium resources in order to reduce their dependence on China and he also calls for increased investment in research and development of new technologies that can reduce the need for lithium.
The Mineral Rush is a timely reminder of the importance of critical raw materials in the clean energy transition. The United States and its allies need to take steps to secure a reliable supply of these materials in order to ensure their energy security and economic competitiveness. Feffer is a respected voice on global affairs, and his work on lithium and other critical raw materials is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of clean energy.
John Feffer is the Director of the Institute for Policy Studies and Editor of Foreign Policy in Focus. He is the author, most recently, of Aftershock: A Journey into Eastern Europe’s Broken Dreams (Zed Books). He is also the author of the dystopian novel Splinterlands (Dispatch Books) and its soon-to-be-released sequel Frostlands. Feffer has contributed to the New York Times, Washington Post, USAToday, Los Angeles Review of Books, Salon, and many other publications.johnfeffer@gmail.com
Layne Hartsell is a research professor at the Asia Institute Berlin/Tokyo in Energy, Economy, Environment (3E) and is a board member at the Korea IT Times.
