Let’s talk about the mining of materials for the green energy transition, and what principles for a just transition look like.
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the social and ecological consequences of the current renewable energy transition through the lens of extractivism
- Increase awareness of how colonial histories and global inequalities impact the renewable energy transition today
- Explore real-world examples where extractivist projects harm people and ecosystems
- Consider principles needed for a just energy transition
GreenComp alignment:
- Futures literacy
- Political agency
- Systems thinking
This unit could be used in geography, social science, or similar. We recommend having completed the unit on Climate Injustice before completing this unit.
Unit project:
For this unit, we will step slightly away from journalism towards clear political communication, where students will write a letter regarding a mining project in Portugal, formulating their own opinion.
Time frame:
We recommend spending two to three classes on this unit – one class for the opening activity and going through the text (some should perhaps be read as homework) and at least one class on the letter writing project.
Extra resources for further reading
Green extractivism:
- European Environmental Bureau’s (2023) report on Sacrifice zones for sustainability? Green extractivism and the struggle for a just transition. https://eeb.org/en/library/sacrifice-zones-for-sustainability-green-extractivism-and-the-struggle-for-a-just-transition-2/
- The International Energy Agency’s explainers and data about critical minerals demand. https://www.iea.org/topics/critical-minerals
- Al Jazeera’s documentary The hidden cost of renewable energy: Inside cobalt mines in the DRC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3DTxggc9ig
- Environmental Justice Atlas (EJAtlas), a searchable global map of environmental conflicts including those linked to the energy transition. https://ejatlas.org
- For justice-informed perspectives on the energy transition, you can explore the work of:
- Rosa Luxemburg Foundation https://www.rosalux.de
- Transnational Institute https://www.tni.org/en
- Power Shift Africa https://www.powershiftafrica.org/publications/just-transition-a-climate-energy-and-development-vision-for-africa
SOMO researches corporate impacts on people and the environment, with strong work on mining and climate justice. https://www.somo.nl/
Global Witness investigates abuses and corruption in fossil fuels, mining, and land use to advance environmental and human rights. https://globalwitness.org/en/
Community resistance:
- If you are interested to learn more about how local communities resist damaging hydropower projects, watch Patagonia’s documentary Blue Heart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhmHByZ0Xd8&t=2480s
- If you want to learn more about how local communities have mobilised against lithium mining in the Lithium Triangle in Chile, watch this short documentary by The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/14/electric-cost-lithium-mining-decarbonasation-salt-flats-chile
Colonialism:
- The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) has created “Disruptive Histories” learning resources. It is made for secondary schools and teachers who want to deliver more inclusive teaching, providing their students with critical and creative ways to learn about colonial legacies. https://www.soas.ac.uk/disruptive-histories
Facing History and Ourselves provides educational resources that help us connect the choices of past and present: “To build a more just and equitable future, we must face our history in all its complexity.” https://www.facinghistory.org/
