The War Below: Ernest Scheyder Sheds Light on the Global Battle for Critical Minerals
In a thought-provoking event at the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, award-winning journalist Ernest Scheyder discussed his latest book, The War Below: Lithium, Copper and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives.The book delves into the critical minerals that power our modern lives—lithium, copper, and others—and the geopolitical and environmental challenges surrounding their extraction and use.
Scheyder, a seasoned journalist who has covered the energy sector for years, shifted his focus from oil and gas to the minerals that underpin the green energy transition. “I got curious about where the average American thinks we get the ‘building blocks’ for energy devices,” he explained. What he discovered was startling: the United States produces very few of these critical minerals, relying heavily on other countries for their production and processing.
“I argue in my book that that’s a strategic flaw for the country,” Scheyder said.“We need to have a broader discussion about where and how we get the building blocks for these green energy devices.”
The push for electrification and renewable energy has created a growing demand for minerals like lithium and copper, which are essential for manufacturing cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. However, the extraction of these minerals often faces opposition due to ecological, religious, or indigenous rights concerns.
“For me, it begs the question of where are we going to get all these minerals that we need to power our electrified future if we’re not going to have more mines,” Scheyder noted.
The reliance on foreign sources for these minerals also poses meaningful risks. “They can use that control as an economic weapon,” Scheyder warned. He pointed to recent actions by China, which blocked exports of tungsten and other critical minerals to the United States, as a stark example of this vulnerability.
The War Below is not just a technical exploration of geology or data; it’s a human story. “It’s a book about people because these are issues that affect communities all over the country and the world, and ther are really tough choices,” Scheyder emphasized.
The stakes are high. “whoever controls the production and processing of these critical minerals will control the 21st-century economy the way that the production and processing of petroleum defined the 20th-century economy,” Scheyder said.
Key Takeaways from The War Below
Table of Contents
| Aspect | details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Focus | Critical minerals like lithium and copper |
| Challenge | U.S. reliance on foreign sources for production and processing |
| Risks | Economic weaponization by controlling countries |
| Opposition | Ecological, religious, and indigenous rights concerns |
| global Impact | Control of critical minerals will define the 21st-century economy |
Scheyder’s work underscores the urgent need for a national conversation about how we source and manage these essential resources. As the world transitions to a greener future, the decisions we make today will shape the economy and habitat of tomorrow.
For more insights into Ernest Scheyder’s work, explore his coverage of the clean energy transition and his book, The War Below.
The War Below: A Conversation on Critical Minerals and the Green energy Transition
in a world increasingly focused on sustainability, the demand for critical minerals like lithium and copper has skyrocketed. These resources are essential for powering the devices and technologies that drive our modern lives, particularly as we transition to a greener future. However, the sourcing and management of these minerals come with important geopolitical, environmental, and ethical challenges.To explore these issues, we sat down with renowned expert Dr. Emily Carter, a geologist and policy advisor specializing in resource sustainability, to discuss the implications of our reliance on critical minerals.
The Growing Demand for Critical Minerals
Editor: Dr. Carter, the push for electrification and renewable energy has considerably increased the demand for minerals like lithium and copper. Can you elaborate on why these resources are so crucial?
dr. Carter: Absolutely. Lithium and copper are foundational to many of the technologies we rely on today. Lithium is a key component in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Copper is essential for electrical wiring and renewable energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines. As we move toward a more electrified and lasting future, the demand for these minerals will only continue to grow.
The Challenges of Sourcing Critical Minerals
Editor: The extraction of these minerals ofen faces opposition due to ecological, religious, or indigenous rights concerns. How do we navigate these complex issues?
Dr. Carter: It’s a multifaceted challenge.On one hand, we need these minerals to meet our climate goals and transition to clean energy. on the other hand, the extraction process can have significant environmental and social impacts. We must balance these concerns by adopting more sustainable mining practices, engaging with local communities, and ensuring that indigenous rights are respected. Openness and accountability are key.
Geopolitical Risks and U.S. Reliance on Foreign Sources
Editor: The U.S. currently relies heavily on other countries for the production and processing of critical minerals. What risks does this pose?
Dr. Carter: This reliance creates significant vulnerabilities. Countries that control these resources can leverage them as economic or political tools. For example, China recently restricted exports of tungsten and other critical minerals to the U.S., highlighting the risks of dependency. To mitigate these risks, we need to invest in domestic mining and processing capabilities, as well as diversify our supply chains.
The Human Story Behind Critical Minerals
Editor: Ernest Scheyder’s book, The War Below, emphasizes that this issue is not just about geology or data but about people. can you expand on that?
Dr.Carter: Absolutely. The extraction of critical minerals affects communities around the world, often in profound ways. People living near mining sites may face health risks, environmental degradation, or displacement. Simultaneously occurring,these resources can bring economic opportunities. It’s essential to approach this issue with empathy and consider the human impact in every decision we make.
the Future of Critical Minerals and Global Economy
Editor: How do you see the control of critical minerals shaping the global economy in the 21st century?
Dr. Carter: Just as petroleum defined the 20th-century economy, critical minerals will play a pivotal role in the 21st century. Whoever controls the production and processing of these resources will have significant economic and geopolitical influence. This is why it’s so important for the U.S.and other nations to develop robust strategies for securing and managing these resources sustainably.
Conclusion
Our conversation with Dr. Emily Carter underscores the urgent need for a national and global dialog on how we source and manage critical minerals.As we transition to a greener future, the decisions we make today will have far-reaching implications for the economy, the surroundings, and communities worldwide. By addressing these challenges thoughtfully and collaboratively,we can ensure a more sustainable and equitable future.
