Chris Benner, a professor at UC Santa Cruz and co-author of "Charging Forward," teams up with Manuel Pastor, Director of the Equity Research Institute at USC, to tackle the complexities of lithium extraction in California. They discuss the potential of Lithium Valley to reshape energy landscapes while addressing past injustices. Their insights highlight the importance of community empowerment and equitable resource distribution in the green transition. With a focus on transparency in battery supply chains, they advocate for sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet.

In this enlightening discussion, Chris Benner and Manuel Pastor, experts in economic justice and equity, tackle the urgent issues surrounding lithium extraction in California's Lithium Valley. They highlight the region's potential to impact global electric vehicle markets while emphasizing the environmental degradation and labor exploitation faced by marginalized communities. The duo connects local struggles to broader climate challenges, advocating for a clean energy transition that prioritizes social equity and sustainable practices. Their insights reveal why Lithium Valley's future is critical to the nation's ecological and economic landscape.