Summary: Lithium is so much more than the name of a (very) famous Nirvana song. Lithium is a metal affectionately known as white gold, and it’s having a moment.<br> On today’s show we are examining the environmental implications associated with our growing lithium needs for batteries in electric vehicles, laptops, cell phones, and more.<br> <br> Here’s a preview:<br> [3:00] Everything you need to know about lithium: its benefits, its drawbacks, how it’s extracted<br> [8:45] The white gold race and the political/economic forces at play<br> [9:45] Environmental concerns and controversies with Lithium Americas at Thacker Pass, Nevada<br> [14:00] Answering listener questions about EV battery length, recycling concerns, and more<br> [23:00] 3 lithium-related action steps for conscious consumers<br> <br> Additional resources:<br> <br> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/06/business/lithium-mining-race.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Lithium Gold Rush: Inside the Race to Power Electric Vehicles</a> (via NY Times)<br> <a href="https://news.utexas.edu/2021/12/06/sodium-based-material-yields-stable-alternative-to-lithium-ion-batteries/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sodium-based Material Yields Stable Alternative to Lithium-ion Batteries</a> (via UTexas)<br> <br> <br> * Thank you to <a href="https://us.upcirclebeauty.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UpCircle Beauty</a> for sponsoring this week’s episode! Use code MAMAMINIMALIST (one word) at checkout for 15% off your order.<br> * Join our (free!) community <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/134165317219800/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.<br> * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook,</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sustainableminimalists/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a> + <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmEjOfANT67KkwTTp3pgSOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Youtube</a>.<br> <br> <br>
