New Books in Critical Theory Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism with Thea Riofrancos
Jan 6, 2026
Thea Riofrancos, an Associate Professor of Political Science and expert on resource extraction, dives into the complex relationship between lithium mining and green capitalism. She highlights how lithium is crucial for electric vehicles but poses environmental challenges. Thea discusses the ethical dilemmas of energy transition and the implications of mining on Global South communities. By examining geopolitical dynamics, she emphasizes the need for careful governance in pursuing sustainable solutions. Her insights on supply chains and the balance of local needs with global pressures are thought-provoking.
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Energy Transition Has An Extractive Foundation
- Energy transitions depend on large material supply chains that recreate extraction elsewhere.
- Advocates must reckon with the ethical trade-offs of decarbonization, not ignore them.
Why Lithium Became Politically Central
- Lithium is central because lithium-ion batteries enable zero-emission ground transport and grid storage.
- That technical role gives lithium outsized political and economic salience compared with other minerals.
Design The Transition From Desired Outcomes
- Start from the zero-emissions world you want and work backwards to material needs.
- Then rigorously calculate resource requirements to design fair mitigation and allocation strategies.
