Behind every electric vehicle is at least one mine and a community that has been altered by it. Mining for the Climate peers under the hood to get to know the people and places impacted by the rush to mine critical minerals. In the process, we take a hard look at the stories told about climate change, mining and the energy transition and we consider less mining-dependent futures.
Mining for the Climate is created by Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio for Season 1 and by Nate Otjen and Jessica Ng for Season 2. It is a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University, which is co-led by Allison Carruth and Barron Bixler. Additional support at Princeton University has come from the High Meadows Environmental Institute, the Humanities Council and the Office of the Dean of Research.
Season 1 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab.
Season 2 Copyright 2025 Nate Otjen, Jessica Ng and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.
To learn more about Mining for the Climate and Blue Lab’s other original media projects and series visit: http://bluelabmedia.org/.
All content for Mining for the Climate is the property of Blue Lab and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Behind every electric vehicle is at least one mine and a community that has been altered by it. Mining for the Climate peers under the hood to get to know the people and places impacted by the rush to mine critical minerals. In the process, we take a hard look at the stories told about climate change, mining and the energy transition and we consider less mining-dependent futures.
Mining for the Climate is created by Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio for Season 1 and by Nate Otjen and Jessica Ng for Season 2. It is a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University, which is co-led by Allison Carruth and Barron Bixler. Additional support at Princeton University has come from the High Meadows Environmental Institute, the Humanities Council and the Office of the Dean of Research.
Season 1 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab.
Season 2 Copyright 2025 Nate Otjen, Jessica Ng and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.
To learn more about Mining for the Climate and Blue Lab’s other original media projects and series visit: http://bluelabmedia.org/.
A few stories about critical minerals have dominated the news lately: “We must mine to save the planet;” “China is taking over rare-earth elements;” “EVs are leading the green revolution.” These stories lay the groundwork for a future that is unquestionably mining intensive. However, does every mine need to be built?
The proposed lithium mine in Gaston County, North Carolina, has not broken ground and it’s already causing significant disruptions for residents. So how dangerous is the idea of a mine?
Season 1 of Mining for the Climate is a co-creation of Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio. It’s a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University.
Episode Credits:
Written by Juan Manuel Rubio
Hosted by Juan Manuel Rubio
Sound design by Juan Manuel Rubio
Research and production team: Max Widmann, Alex Norbrook, Grace Wang, Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio
Music by Purple Planet (www.purple-planet.com) and Pryor Meadows
Audio Clip Credits:
A Look At Lithium Mining, CNN, 2022
Behind the First All-Electric Truck Company, Rivian, CBS Mornings, 2022
Chevron Back in Court for Worst Case of Oil Pollution on the Planet, The Real News Network, 2015
Critical Mineral Mining Sees Unprecedented Growth Fueled by Clean Energy Demand, CNBC, 2023
How Critical Minerals Are Vital to the Climate Fight, ABC News, 2022
In Major Win for Indigenous Rights, Ecuador Votes to Ban Oil Drilling in Protected Amazon Lands, Democracy Now, 2023
Last Look: The Green Transition Will Trigger a New Race for Natural Resources, CNN, 2022
Neighbors Speak out against Piedmont Lithium Mine Plan, 2021 Special Report : Inside the Congo Cobalt Mines That Exploit Children, Sky News, 2017
Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab (bluelabmedia.org). All rights reserved.
Mining for the Climate
Behind every electric vehicle is at least one mine and a community that has been altered by it. Mining for the Climate peers under the hood to get to know the people and places impacted by the rush to mine critical minerals. In the process, we take a hard look at the stories told about climate change, mining and the energy transition and we consider less mining-dependent futures.
Mining for the Climate is created by Nate Otjen and Juan Manuel Rubio for Season 1 and by Nate Otjen and Jessica Ng for Season 2. It is a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University, which is co-led by Allison Carruth and Barron Bixler. Additional support at Princeton University has come from the High Meadows Environmental Institute, the Humanities Council and the Office of the Dean of Research.
Season 1 Copyright 2023 Nate Otjen, Juan Manuel Rubio and Blue Lab.
Season 2 Copyright 2025 Nate Otjen, Jessica Ng and Blue Lab. All rights reserved.
To learn more about Mining for the Climate and Blue Lab’s other original media projects and series visit: http://bluelabmedia.org/.
