What do you think?
Rate this book
Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future
The powerful ways the metals we need to fuel technology and energy are spawning environmental havoc, political upheaval, and rising violence — and how we can do better.
An Australian millionaire’s plan to mine the ocean floor. Nigerian garbage pickers risking their lives to salvage e-waste. A Bill Gates-backed entrepreneur harnessing AI to find metals in the Arctic.
These people and millions more are part of the intensifying competition to find and extract the minerals essential for two crucial technologies: the internet and renewable energy. In Power Metal, Vince Beiser explores the Achilles’ heel of “green power” and digital technology – that manufacturing computers, cell phones, electric cars, and other technologies demand skyrocketing amounts of lithium, copper, cobalt, and other materials. Around the world, businesses and governments are scrambling for new places and new ways to get those metals, at enormous cost to people and the planet.
Beiser crisscrossed the world to talk to the people involved and report on the damage this race is inflicting, the ways it could get worse, and how we can minimize the damage. Power Metal is a compelling glimpse into this disturbing yet potentially promising new world.
An Australian millionaire’s plan to mine the ocean floor. Nigerian garbage pickers risking their lives to salvage e-waste. A Bill Gates-backed entrepreneur harnessing AI to find metals in the Arctic.
These people and millions more are part of the intensifying competition to find and extract the minerals essential for two crucial technologies: the internet and renewable energy. In Power Metal, Vince Beiser explores the Achilles’ heel of “green power” and digital technology – that manufacturing computers, cell phones, electric cars, and other technologies demand skyrocketing amounts of lithium, copper, cobalt, and other materials. Around the world, businesses and governments are scrambling for new places and new ways to get those metals, at enormous cost to people and the planet.
Beiser crisscrossed the world to talk to the people involved and report on the damage this race is inflicting, the ways it could get worse, and how we can minimize the damage. Power Metal is a compelling glimpse into this disturbing yet potentially promising new world.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2024
108 people are currently reading
2494 people want to read
About the author
Vince Beiser
3 books60 followersVince Beiser is an award-winning journalist based in Los Angeles. His first book, "The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization" was a finalist for a PEN/E.O. Wilson Award and a California Book Award. “Stunning,” says NPR; “impassioned and alarming,” says the Washington Post.
Vince has reported from over 100 countries, states, provinces, emirates, kingdoms, occupied territories, liberated areas, no man’s lands and disaster zones. He has exposed conditions in California’s harshest prisons, trained with troops bound for Iraq, ridden with the first responders to disasters in Haiti and Nepal and hunted down other stories from around the world for publications including Wired, The Atlantic, Harper’s,The Guardian, Mother Jones, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.
Vince has also been a correspondent for the Emmy-winning news show SoCal Connected. Vince’s work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Columbia, Medill and Missouri Graduate Schools of Journalism, the National Mental Health Association, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and many other institutions. He has twice been part of a team that won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence, the magazine industry’s highest honor. He is also a grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
Vince has reported from over 100 countries, states, provinces, emirates, kingdoms, occupied territories, liberated areas, no man’s lands and disaster zones. He has exposed conditions in California’s harshest prisons, trained with troops bound for Iraq, ridden with the first responders to disasters in Haiti and Nepal and hunted down other stories from around the world for publications including Wired, The Atlantic, Harper’s,The Guardian, Mother Jones, Playboy, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times.
Vince has also been a correspondent for the Emmy-winning news show SoCal Connected. Vince’s work has been honored by Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Columbia, Medill and Missouri Graduate Schools of Journalism, the National Mental Health Association, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and many other institutions. He has twice been part of a team that won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence, the magazine industry’s highest honor. He is also a grantee of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 12, 2025
Vince Beiser is a Canadian-American journalist who I'm familiar with from his 2018 book, The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization. I would describe his book Power Metal as a fascinating intersection between two 2023 books: Ed Conway's Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization and Oliver Franklin-Wallis' Wasteland: The Secret World of Waste and the Urgent Search for a Cleaner Future.
Beiser explores how dependent our increasingly "electro-digital" age is on certain metals including lithium, nickel and copper, and how in our quest for green energy we in fact keep burning fossil fuels to extract the raw ingredients needed to create more sustainable energy sources. The extraction of these raw metals is much more dangerous than we realize -- he cites this 2023 Vice News article about fatalities at an Indonesian nickel smelting company whose victims included a local TikTok personality, and also exposes the dangerous working conditions and labor practices (including child labor) in the developing world where metal extraction takes place. And of course, refinement of these raw materials for the West largely takes place in China, which remains a geopolitical risk. (This part reminded me of Rachel Slade's Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A., where she uses a much simpler example - a hoodie - to demonstrate how hard it is to manufacture completely in the US.)
The next part of the book discusses the feasibility of recycling metal from used and discarded electronics and spent batteries -- while in wealthy countries we often chuck these in the trash, there is a large industry in some countries aimed at reuse.
In the last section of the book, Beiser attempts to offer solutions to this impending crisis -- these had a similar tone as Franklin-Wallis in Wasteland -- basically, reuse, recycle, and take better care of our things, and hope that infrastructure improvements will make it easier for society as a whole to follow suit.
Overall, an interesting read.
My statistics:
Book 12 for 2025
Book 1938 cumulatively
Beiser explores how dependent our increasingly "electro-digital" age is on certain metals including lithium, nickel and copper, and how in our quest for green energy we in fact keep burning fossil fuels to extract the raw ingredients needed to create more sustainable energy sources. The extraction of these raw metals is much more dangerous than we realize -- he cites this 2023 Vice News article about fatalities at an Indonesian nickel smelting company whose victims included a local TikTok personality, and also exposes the dangerous working conditions and labor practices (including child labor) in the developing world where metal extraction takes place. And of course, refinement of these raw materials for the West largely takes place in China, which remains a geopolitical risk. (This part reminded me of Rachel Slade's Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A., where she uses a much simpler example - a hoodie - to demonstrate how hard it is to manufacture completely in the US.)
The next part of the book discusses the feasibility of recycling metal from used and discarded electronics and spent batteries -- while in wealthy countries we often chuck these in the trash, there is a large industry in some countries aimed at reuse.
In the last section of the book, Beiser attempts to offer solutions to this impending crisis -- these had a similar tone as Franklin-Wallis in Wasteland -- basically, reuse, recycle, and take better care of our things, and hope that infrastructure improvements will make it easier for society as a whole to follow suit.
Overall, an interesting read.
My statistics:
Book 12 for 2025
Book 1938 cumulatively
March 28, 2025
“Mobile phones can contain as many as two thirds of all the elements in the periodic table.” “There are more than fifteen billion mobile devices in use worldwide.” “Just one Tesla Model S can contain as much lithium as ten thousand mobile phones.” The same Tesla battery will also be 80% nickel by weight. In all human history we’ve mined about seven hundred million tons of copper. We’ll need to mine the same amount again in the next twenty-odd years.” “There’s no such thing as clean energy.” By 2050 cobalt use will be 5x what it was in 2022. Nickel demand then will be 10x higher, lithium demand will be 15X higher. “Metal mining is America’s leading toxic polluter and has sullied the watersheds of almost half of all the rivers in the American West.” “At least 320 antimining activists around the world have been murdered since 2012.” “Industrial mines have wiped out more than 1,000 square miles of forests since 2000 (p.6).” To get one ton of nickel you will need to process an average of 250 tons of ore and waste rock. GM recently spent “$650 million into a proposed lithium mine in Nevada.” Trump wants Greenland for its “enormous quantities of rare earths.” Niobium for wind turbines largely comes from Brazil. “A single wind turbine can require as much as 500 lbs. of rare earth metals.” Most high-grade nickel comes from Russia; nickel is a key component of batteries and is great for corrosion resistance in tools and weapons.
The 17 rare earths are: scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. “When it comes to mining, the choice is never between good and bad but only between bad and less bad.” Most rare earths aren’t found in their pure form. Most rare earths come from blowing rock up, which takes over a million tons of explosives annually (think ammonium nitrate). “Every ton of rare earth concentrate generates approximately one ton of radioactive wastewater, seventy-five cubic meters of acid wastewater, 9,600 to 12,000 cubic meters of waste gas containing radon, hydrofluoric acid, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid.” Most of the rare earths are mined in China. Mining disasters: In 1972 a dam failure in West Virginia killed 125 people. In 2019, a dam failure in Brazil killed 270 people. Myanmar sends its dysprosium and terbium to China; but rare earths from Myanmar should be considered conflict minerals because militias steal them from the land of the indigenous Kachin people. Left behind one Myanmar miner said, “there’s nothing left, not even a small bird.” Your cell phone may well exist at the cost of “poisoned waterways, dead animals, and terrorized civilians.”
You have gold in your iPhone, tin in its circuit board, nickel in its microphone, indium to make the touch screen, europium to enhance screen colors, and terbium, neodymium, and dysprosium to make your phone vibrate.
Copper is highly ductile, meaning it can be shaped, bent and pulled without breaking. No doubt Mainstream Media sees us voters also as ductile. Interestingly, silver conducts electricity more efficiently than copper (the cost precludes it’s use). An EV usually has in it as much as 175 pounds of copper. 60% of all copper “winds up in electrical equipment.” Copper made the telephone possible. Between 2019 and 2022 the price of a ton of copper went from $6,400 to more than $10,000. Thieves increasingly target copper for theft; The US D.O.E. values copper theft at $1 billion annually; the South African government values its annual copper theft as more than $2 billion annually. In the past 15 years average copper grade has gone from a five to a one. The biggest reserves of copper in the world are in Chile. Imagine the future price tag of copper theft, after societal collapse.
Your smartphone probably contains a ¼ oz. of cobalt; thank the Congolese children who mined it for you at pennies a day. Most of the DRC’s cobalt ends up in China for processing. The world scrap metal industry is $40 billion a year. Lithium is the lightest known metal [aside from Def Leppard and Twisted Sister]. When recycling, “one ton of circuit boards can contain forty to eight hundred times the amount of gold found in a ton of ore” according to the EPA. Batteries are the most dangerous to recycle, which is why only 5% of lithium batteries are recycled. Lithium batteries can burst into flames or explode.
Cheery Thoughts: “In 1925, fully one third of all traffic deaths were children, and half of those kids were killed on their home blocks (p.192).” The world creates more than 53,000,000 tons of e-waste annually (p.140). Two billion cell phones are sold every year. And, “worldwide, in 2022, an estimated 5.3 BILLION mobile phones were thrown out. If you stacked them up, the pile would reach one eighth of the way to the moon.” When you say you want a Green Economy, you are actually asking the Chilean Atacamenos, Indonesian villagers, Congolese miners and others (who did NOTHING to create climate change) to bear the heaviest costs of creating it. Their activist leaders will tell you, “We are being made a sacrifice zone.” Just one company in the Salar de Atacama lost 114 billion gallons of water due to brine evaporation between 1985 and 2017. Just one worry of the Atacamenos. “Manufacturing apparel generates as much as 8% of global carbon emissions.” Don’t buy fast fashion. And it takes lots of energy to make even bamboo into apparel or disposable plates (and then ship them). In 2022, 42,795 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.
Recycling: Nine out of ten old solar panels end up in a landfill (p.159). “It costs $20 to $30 to recycle a solar panel (the hardest part is “separating the photovoltaic cells from the glass panels to which they are bonded”), but only $1 to $2 to send it to the dump.” Retired old big wind turbine blades do NOT get recycled – too much work. “Today, solar panels consume about 10% of all the world’s mined silver; by 2050 that figure could climb to more than half.” Only 1% of lithium is recycled. Recycling should involve fair pay, safety, and as few carbon emissions as possible. This includes reducing the demand for rare earth metals as much as possible. If everyone in just the EU held onto their cell phones for one extra year, it would reduce carbon emissions equivalent to one million cars on the road. Wow… “Across the United States, there are as many as two billion parking spaces – seven for each motor vehicle.” As tires roll over pavement, tiny particles of chemical-infused synthetic break off or float away.” Planned obsolescence has to end. Take a look at iFixit online for 103,000 DIY repair manuals available. “Tires have their own emissions.
A Great Eisenhower quote: “as we peer into society’s future, we—you and I, and our government – must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.”
Great book – super glad I read it (because the topic is so important and no one discusses it), and you will be too.
The 17 rare earths are: scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium. “When it comes to mining, the choice is never between good and bad but only between bad and less bad.” Most rare earths aren’t found in their pure form. Most rare earths come from blowing rock up, which takes over a million tons of explosives annually (think ammonium nitrate). “Every ton of rare earth concentrate generates approximately one ton of radioactive wastewater, seventy-five cubic meters of acid wastewater, 9,600 to 12,000 cubic meters of waste gas containing radon, hydrofluoric acid, sulfur dioxide, and sulfuric acid.” Most of the rare earths are mined in China. Mining disasters: In 1972 a dam failure in West Virginia killed 125 people. In 2019, a dam failure in Brazil killed 270 people. Myanmar sends its dysprosium and terbium to China; but rare earths from Myanmar should be considered conflict minerals because militias steal them from the land of the indigenous Kachin people. Left behind one Myanmar miner said, “there’s nothing left, not even a small bird.” Your cell phone may well exist at the cost of “poisoned waterways, dead animals, and terrorized civilians.”
You have gold in your iPhone, tin in its circuit board, nickel in its microphone, indium to make the touch screen, europium to enhance screen colors, and terbium, neodymium, and dysprosium to make your phone vibrate.
Copper is highly ductile, meaning it can be shaped, bent and pulled without breaking. No doubt Mainstream Media sees us voters also as ductile. Interestingly, silver conducts electricity more efficiently than copper (the cost precludes it’s use). An EV usually has in it as much as 175 pounds of copper. 60% of all copper “winds up in electrical equipment.” Copper made the telephone possible. Between 2019 and 2022 the price of a ton of copper went from $6,400 to more than $10,000. Thieves increasingly target copper for theft; The US D.O.E. values copper theft at $1 billion annually; the South African government values its annual copper theft as more than $2 billion annually. In the past 15 years average copper grade has gone from a five to a one. The biggest reserves of copper in the world are in Chile. Imagine the future price tag of copper theft, after societal collapse.
Your smartphone probably contains a ¼ oz. of cobalt; thank the Congolese children who mined it for you at pennies a day. Most of the DRC’s cobalt ends up in China for processing. The world scrap metal industry is $40 billion a year. Lithium is the lightest known metal [aside from Def Leppard and Twisted Sister]. When recycling, “one ton of circuit boards can contain forty to eight hundred times the amount of gold found in a ton of ore” according to the EPA. Batteries are the most dangerous to recycle, which is why only 5% of lithium batteries are recycled. Lithium batteries can burst into flames or explode.
Cheery Thoughts: “In 1925, fully one third of all traffic deaths were children, and half of those kids were killed on their home blocks (p.192).” The world creates more than 53,000,000 tons of e-waste annually (p.140). Two billion cell phones are sold every year. And, “worldwide, in 2022, an estimated 5.3 BILLION mobile phones were thrown out. If you stacked them up, the pile would reach one eighth of the way to the moon.” When you say you want a Green Economy, you are actually asking the Chilean Atacamenos, Indonesian villagers, Congolese miners and others (who did NOTHING to create climate change) to bear the heaviest costs of creating it. Their activist leaders will tell you, “We are being made a sacrifice zone.” Just one company in the Salar de Atacama lost 114 billion gallons of water due to brine evaporation between 1985 and 2017. Just one worry of the Atacamenos. “Manufacturing apparel generates as much as 8% of global carbon emissions.” Don’t buy fast fashion. And it takes lots of energy to make even bamboo into apparel or disposable plates (and then ship them). In 2022, 42,795 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.
Recycling: Nine out of ten old solar panels end up in a landfill (p.159). “It costs $20 to $30 to recycle a solar panel (the hardest part is “separating the photovoltaic cells from the glass panels to which they are bonded”), but only $1 to $2 to send it to the dump.” Retired old big wind turbine blades do NOT get recycled – too much work. “Today, solar panels consume about 10% of all the world’s mined silver; by 2050 that figure could climb to more than half.” Only 1% of lithium is recycled. Recycling should involve fair pay, safety, and as few carbon emissions as possible. This includes reducing the demand for rare earth metals as much as possible. If everyone in just the EU held onto their cell phones for one extra year, it would reduce carbon emissions equivalent to one million cars on the road. Wow… “Across the United States, there are as many as two billion parking spaces – seven for each motor vehicle.” As tires roll over pavement, tiny particles of chemical-infused synthetic break off or float away.” Planned obsolescence has to end. Take a look at iFixit online for 103,000 DIY repair manuals available. “Tires have their own emissions.
A Great Eisenhower quote: “as we peer into society’s future, we—you and I, and our government – must avoid the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.”
Great book – super glad I read it (because the topic is so important and no one discusses it), and you will be too.
November 1, 2024
The metals we use in all the glorious digital technology we enjoy, and which are necessary for the renewable energy technology we need to make a real transition away from fossil fuels, are themselves at the heart of tremendous environmental damage, political upheaval and violence.
In this very compelling and digestible book, Beiser explains the critical metals we use most, where they come from, how we get them, how we recycle them, and how we reuse them. The book spans the globe and the lifecycle of these metals, but is very accessible and rooted in his reporting from mines and junkyards and more.
He keeps returning to what he calls the the "inescapable principal" -- that "nothing comes without a cost." The question is how we decide to manage the costs and who pays them.
In the end, Beiser makes the case that the single best thing we can do -- individually and collectively, that is with government planning, action and support -- is reduce consumption, specifically of cars. It's not an absurd absolutist argument that we should abolish all cars, but a reasonable plea for reduction and adaptation to a less car-centric world.
Was thinking about it when I almost got hit by two different cars while walking to the library today.
I should have an interview with the author out next month when the book is released.
In this very compelling and digestible book, Beiser explains the critical metals we use most, where they come from, how we get them, how we recycle them, and how we reuse them. The book spans the globe and the lifecycle of these metals, but is very accessible and rooted in his reporting from mines and junkyards and more.
He keeps returning to what he calls the the "inescapable principal" -- that "nothing comes without a cost." The question is how we decide to manage the costs and who pays them.
In the end, Beiser makes the case that the single best thing we can do -- individually and collectively, that is with government planning, action and support -- is reduce consumption, specifically of cars. It's not an absurd absolutist argument that we should abolish all cars, but a reasonable plea for reduction and adaptation to a less car-centric world.
Was thinking about it when I almost got hit by two different cars while walking to the library today.
I should have an interview with the author out next month when the book is released.
April 4, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this on Spotify and I am glad I did! It’s super informative and dense, but the person reading it has a voice that reads like a documentary. It was very easy to follow along and it actually pulled me in, while being comprehensive and thorough.
Reading this made me feel all kinds of ways, mostly that overbearing doom feeling. I never realized the full extent of how horrible the mining process is for all of the metals we use (like finding a fleck of black pepper in a meatball, the author mentioned). One quote that stood out to me was “everything has a cost but not everyone has to pay it”. This book shines light directly on how this environmentally damaging process is done in countries overseas intentionally due to it causing serious environmental and community health issues. Rather than seeking an alternative, the world seems to just be okay with plopping these plants in other countries and turning away.
I also liked the deep dive into recycling e waste and how that is a complicated, and also harmful process. There are just so many layers of gritty, toxic environments woven throughout the metal industry. It began to feel disheartening almost.
Ultimately it was motivating and inspiring in the end. It has me looking at my electronics, and even my car, in a different light. I’ve always been the kind of person to use something until it truly cant be repaired, and reading this reinforced that. One day, I’d love to live somewhere where I don’t need a car. Or, share one car for my entire household. This book got my brain working on how I can do better. Highly recommend.
Reading this made me feel all kinds of ways, mostly that overbearing doom feeling. I never realized the full extent of how horrible the mining process is for all of the metals we use (like finding a fleck of black pepper in a meatball, the author mentioned). One quote that stood out to me was “everything has a cost but not everyone has to pay it”. This book shines light directly on how this environmentally damaging process is done in countries overseas intentionally due to it causing serious environmental and community health issues. Rather than seeking an alternative, the world seems to just be okay with plopping these plants in other countries and turning away.
I also liked the deep dive into recycling e waste and how that is a complicated, and also harmful process. There are just so many layers of gritty, toxic environments woven throughout the metal industry. It began to feel disheartening almost.
Ultimately it was motivating and inspiring in the end. It has me looking at my electronics, and even my car, in a different light. I’ve always been the kind of person to use something until it truly cant be repaired, and reading this reinforced that. One day, I’d love to live somewhere where I don’t need a car. Or, share one car for my entire household. This book got my brain working on how I can do better. Highly recommend.
December 22, 2024
The book starts out as a discussion of how of a number of metals are critical to our advancement as a society. It goes into how difficult and dangerous it is to mine many of these metals. It also goes into how China has become the major refiner of many of these metals and, as a result, can use this domination to exercise control over other nations. It ends up with a lecture on global warming.
June 14, 2025
Borrow.
Well I agree with everything and learned some cool facts along the way but there is no disguising the fact that a multi page piece in a magazine like Scientific American could have captured the central gist adequately enough in 1/50th the space.
Don't buy a car! Fix your electronics, don't replace them! Chill out and save your money!
Well I agree with everything and learned some cool facts along the way but there is no disguising the fact that a multi page piece in a magazine like Scientific American could have captured the central gist adequately enough in 1/50th the space.
Don't buy a car! Fix your electronics, don't replace them! Chill out and save your money!
December 2, 2024
Not as good as “material world”, but slated for a reread so that I can write a proper review. Basic theme is that we don’t really have the raw materials needed to electrify the world and reduce CO2 emissions.
November 20, 2024
I admit I approached Power Metal as a "homework" read - an opportunity to learn more about something I should know as a climate nerd, something more important than interesting.
I expected a deep dive on mining, a survey of the environmental and labor concerns, an exploration of the human rights abuses and the conflicts funded by our need - and desire - for the metals that power our society and are required for a cleaner future. I braced myself for a preview of some promising silver-bullet technologies that might (but probably won't) save the day and maybe a few lines about the importance of recycling.
I was SO pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s interesting, informative, and honest, and it was one of my favorite reads last month.
Power Metal is divided into three parts. In part 1, Vince Beiser indeed outlines a major challenge facing the world as we attempt a much-needed transition to cleaner energy: getting off fossil fuels requires SO MUCH metal. From batteries that power electric vehicles to transmission lines that carry energy from solar panels to the grid to the solar panels themselves, metal is key. But getting that metal requires mining, and mining is terrible in all the expected ways. Beiser does profile some of the entrepreneurs trying to improve mining - mining asteroids! mining the ocean floor! - but he’s not sold.
One solution that's often raised in the critical metals discussion is recycling. In part 2, Beiser follows a Canadian scrap collector on his rounds as he dumpster dives, stripping wire and appliances. He writes about the important role of "waste pickers" around the world and the challenges of collecting scrap metal in the U.S. He makes clear that there’s a role for recycling, but it’s dangerous and polluting work. And he looks at the ways companies make it easier to replace our old or broken items instead of fixing them, and the activists fighting for the right to repair.
In part 3, Beiser proposes a solution. His vision? More mass transit, fewer cars, better urban planning. It may not be a popular answer, but Beiser’s argument is solid, and he paints a compelling vision of the future. I really wasn’t expecting to find this, and I respect that he went there. 5 stars.
Thanks to Riverhead for the gifted ARC!
I expected a deep dive on mining, a survey of the environmental and labor concerns, an exploration of the human rights abuses and the conflicts funded by our need - and desire - for the metals that power our society and are required for a cleaner future. I braced myself for a preview of some promising silver-bullet technologies that might (but probably won't) save the day and maybe a few lines about the importance of recycling.
I was SO pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s interesting, informative, and honest, and it was one of my favorite reads last month.
Power Metal is divided into three parts. In part 1, Vince Beiser indeed outlines a major challenge facing the world as we attempt a much-needed transition to cleaner energy: getting off fossil fuels requires SO MUCH metal. From batteries that power electric vehicles to transmission lines that carry energy from solar panels to the grid to the solar panels themselves, metal is key. But getting that metal requires mining, and mining is terrible in all the expected ways. Beiser does profile some of the entrepreneurs trying to improve mining - mining asteroids! mining the ocean floor! - but he’s not sold.
One solution that's often raised in the critical metals discussion is recycling. In part 2, Beiser follows a Canadian scrap collector on his rounds as he dumpster dives, stripping wire and appliances. He writes about the important role of "waste pickers" around the world and the challenges of collecting scrap metal in the U.S. He makes clear that there’s a role for recycling, but it’s dangerous and polluting work. And he looks at the ways companies make it easier to replace our old or broken items instead of fixing them, and the activists fighting for the right to repair.
In part 3, Beiser proposes a solution. His vision? More mass transit, fewer cars, better urban planning. It may not be a popular answer, but Beiser’s argument is solid, and he paints a compelling vision of the future. I really wasn’t expecting to find this, and I respect that he went there. 5 stars.
Thanks to Riverhead for the gifted ARC!
April 23, 2025
"Laptops, tablets, and cell phones are made from a kaleidoscopic array of materials, from everyday metals to far more exotic and obscure substances. Mobile phones can contain as many as two thirds of all the elements in the periodic table, including dozens of different metals. Some of those metals are familiar: There's gold in the typical phone's circuitry, tin in its circuit board, nickel in its microphone. Some are not. Tiny flecks of indium in the screen make it sensitive to the touch of your finger. Europium enhances the colors you see on that screen. Neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are used to build the tiny mechanism that makes your phone vibrate."
The electronic goods we purchase and the future plans to free ourselves from fossil fuels depends on the batteries that store the power collected from the electrical grid and from sun and wind power. The batteries, our electronic devices, and the electrical grid itself all use increasely depleted metals and rare earth minerals mined elsewhere.
"Our high-tech, carbon-free future depends on one of humanity's oldest and dirtiest endeavors: mining...."
China holds one third of all the world's rare earths and currently processes and refines most all of the minierals mined. The cost of mining practices; the pollution, child labor, exploitation of workers, and military and gang violence; are all borne elsewhere.
The electronic goods we purchase and the future plans to free ourselves from fossil fuels depends on the batteries that store the power collected from the electrical grid and from sun and wind power. The batteries, our electronic devices, and the electrical grid itself all use increasely depleted metals and rare earth minerals mined elsewhere.
"Our high-tech, carbon-free future depends on one of humanity's oldest and dirtiest endeavors: mining...."
China holds one third of all the world's rare earths and currently processes and refines most all of the minierals mined. The cost of mining practices; the pollution, child labor, exploitation of workers, and military and gang violence; are all borne elsewhere.
June 10, 2025
“the single best way we can reduce the damage done by our consumption of both minerals and energy: by reducing our consumption of everything. Above all, of private automobiles.”
“By far, however, the most effective single way that we as individuals can make a difference is this:
Don't buy a car. Not even an electric one.”
The transition to “green energy” requires an incredible amount of metal. Metals that must be mined, extracted, or recycled.
The first half of the book was a difficult tour through the horrific pollution and exploitation of labor required to get us the copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth metals required for our devices and our electric vehicles.
The second half of the book was more optimistic—detailing the many ways that folks are already finding ways to (most importantly!) reuse and recycle metals.
The section on how Apple has blocked users from fixing their devices was infuriating. We need better legislation.
I would definitely recommend this book. I’m more committed to reducing my consumption than ever.
“By far, however, the most effective single way that we as individuals can make a difference is this:
Don't buy a car. Not even an electric one.”
The transition to “green energy” requires an incredible amount of metal. Metals that must be mined, extracted, or recycled.
The first half of the book was a difficult tour through the horrific pollution and exploitation of labor required to get us the copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth metals required for our devices and our electric vehicles.
The second half of the book was more optimistic—detailing the many ways that folks are already finding ways to (most importantly!) reuse and recycle metals.
The section on how Apple has blocked users from fixing their devices was infuriating. We need better legislation.
I would definitely recommend this book. I’m more committed to reducing my consumption than ever.
December 3, 2024
I found the hardcopy at Solid State Books a few days before its official release. Given the recent dive into critical minerals with The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives, it was a timely encounter and I decided to commit to reading it before its publication.
Beiser provides an articulate overview of the various metals being mined to support electric vehicle production and renewable energy development. Though it was not fully comprehensive of every nuance in these industries, the way Beiser writes made it much easier to understand the contrasting implications of critical mineral processes than if I were reading from a more academic piece. Interestingly, though much of the book covers the supply side of the critical minerals/metals and energy transition discourse, Bieser ultimately advocates for demand-side action (i.e., reduce overall consumption energy demand). I certainly see my daily activities in a different light now and hope to be more conscious about my consumption habits. It is a balanced read for any reader concerned about the energy transition, as Bieser was careful to avoid blind techno-optimism while also incorporating just transition implications.
Beiser provides an articulate overview of the various metals being mined to support electric vehicle production and renewable energy development. Though it was not fully comprehensive of every nuance in these industries, the way Beiser writes made it much easier to understand the contrasting implications of critical mineral processes than if I were reading from a more academic piece. Interestingly, though much of the book covers the supply side of the critical minerals/metals and energy transition discourse, Bieser ultimately advocates for demand-side action (i.e., reduce overall consumption energy demand). I certainly see my daily activities in a different light now and hope to be more conscious about my consumption habits. It is a balanced read for any reader concerned about the energy transition, as Bieser was careful to avoid blind techno-optimism while also incorporating just transition implications.
December 13, 2024
I've never learned so much about the world in one book. Tells how we get the resources to make everything. So well researched and delivered. Should be a must read for all.
December 24, 2024
Vince Beiser’s Power Metal ambitiously tackles the critical topic of lithium, copper and rare earth metal extraction, essential components in the modern green energy transition. While the book starts strong with vivid, well-researched chapters documenting the gritty realities of mining operations, it ultimately struggles to maintain the sharp, compelling narrative seen in Beiser’s earlier work.
The opening chapters are undeniably gripping, offering readers a window into the high-stakes, often exploitative world of mining that fuels everything from electric vehicles to smartphones. Beiser’s ability to capture the human and environmental cost of this industry is reminiscent of the incisive reporting in The World in a Grain, his critically acclaimed exploration of sand’s impact on modern civilization. Yet, where Power Metal begins to falter is in its shift from journalism to advocacy.
As the book progresses, the storytelling gives way to a more predictable argument for policy change and corporate accountability. While these are undoubtedly important issues, Beiser’s approach lacks the nuance and originality that made The World in a Grain and even Edmund Conway’s Material World so memorable. Instead of introducing fresh insights or unique perspectives, the latter sections echo points made in countless op-eds and environmental manifestos, causing the narrative to drag.
Power Metal is by no means a bad book—it’s meticulously researched and offers moments of brilliance. However, readers who admired the dynamic pacing and sharp focus of Beiser’s earlier work may find themselves disappointed by this uneven follow-up. For those deeply invested in the green energy debate, it’s worth a read, but it doesn’t reach the same heights as Material World or The World in a Grain.
The opening chapters are undeniably gripping, offering readers a window into the high-stakes, often exploitative world of mining that fuels everything from electric vehicles to smartphones. Beiser’s ability to capture the human and environmental cost of this industry is reminiscent of the incisive reporting in The World in a Grain, his critically acclaimed exploration of sand’s impact on modern civilization. Yet, where Power Metal begins to falter is in its shift from journalism to advocacy.
As the book progresses, the storytelling gives way to a more predictable argument for policy change and corporate accountability. While these are undoubtedly important issues, Beiser’s approach lacks the nuance and originality that made The World in a Grain and even Edmund Conway’s Material World so memorable. Instead of introducing fresh insights or unique perspectives, the latter sections echo points made in countless op-eds and environmental manifestos, causing the narrative to drag.
Power Metal is by no means a bad book—it’s meticulously researched and offers moments of brilliance. However, readers who admired the dynamic pacing and sharp focus of Beiser’s earlier work may find themselves disappointed by this uneven follow-up. For those deeply invested in the green energy debate, it’s worth a read, but it doesn’t reach the same heights as Material World or The World in a Grain.
May 9, 2025
An excellent book for those who want to learn more about the importance of various metals in our quest to use "greener" sources of energy! I know many of us in the western world are feeling pretty virtuous and are patting ourselves on the back for using EVs, reducing our reliance on oils, while also jettisoning our recycling and compost into separate bins from trash. While I vaguely knew that we are only scratching the surface in our efforts of "saving the planet" prior to reading Power Metal, Beiser, however, has really opened my eyes to the tradeoffs of our efforts to switch to renewable energy sources--it almost feels bleak, knowing the costs.
• With the world's hunger for more EVs, more smart phones, and overall just more digital devices, in turn comes a mammoth need for more metals to construct these devices. Copper is now coveted as a metallic veins of a country, highly malleable and conductive, carrying electricity from wind and solar generators across miles. (Silver would work better, but that's already exorbitantly expensive for other uses.) We need nickel and lithium to store our energy in batteries, especially with the explosive use of EVs globally now. And there are 17 rare earth metals sought after for our modern devices--for our smart device screens, we need indium to make them more sensitive to touch, europium to enhance the vividness of colors. Neodymium to make permanent magnets in EVs, earphones, speakers, hard drives, etc.
• However, in order to satisfy the demand for these metals, comes the environmental cost of mining--explosives to break the rock, that leave behind radioactive waste, mines hogging the water for processing operations in water-depleted lands, air pollution, destruction of forests and biodiversity, etc. Historically mining was something us westerners deemed to be "dirty" and eventually outsourced to foreign lands like China to mine and refine (China still refines ~90% of the worlds metals to this day, being the only ones with the infrastructure setup to do so.)
• Then we get to the geopolitical implications of not having mining resources available in our own backyard--our over-reliance on nickel, for example, meant that even when the U.S. was against Russian invading Ukraine, we still bought nickel from them. We were helping fund the country to invade, in a sense. China had also flexed its rare earth metals against Japan, barring the export of it until Japan ceded to their demands, serving as a huge wakeup call to the west that they needed to find other sources for coveted metals.
• Beiser also touched on how underdeveloped our ability to truly recycle anything--coal-intensive factories to break down materials to the point where they can be recycled. In the U.S. there is woefully so little infrastructure to actually recycle the majority of our waste. We essentially need a reverse supply chain--where in a regular supply chain, the construction of a machine is put together piece-by-piece; for reverse supply chains, we need to take things apart bit-by-bit. Without doing so, there is so much metal already mined going to waste, never to be used again.
• What the world should be better about is embracing the doctrine of reuse. Instead of making devices repairable, as was done in before the 1960s(I think), we instead have companies making things intentionally difficult to repair on your own, forcing consumers to just buy a new device altogether, especially in the west (voiding warranties if opened, glueing pieces together, or screwing devices shut with proprietary screws that need a special screw driver to take them apart).
• Then finally was the reminder that we should actually construct our city to consume less
• Lessen the demand for cars usage: the U.S. intentionally designed most of its cities with the intent that everyone get around by car. However, we should embrace more infrastructure that does not require that people get around by individual vehicles. Amsterdam was designed to be commutable by bus, whether as a student or a buttoned-up business man, everyone uses the mode of transportation, with little fear of being hit by vehicles, because the city was intentional in its design. Let's say we even promote eBikes, which would require a battery--even then, the battery would be several times smaller than the battery required by an EV, demanding less metal to be mined to produce. Not to mention the other benefits that come with locomotion such as improvement in health, happiness, and better air quality. Not that the need for a car will fully need to go away, but it's usage can be lowered significantly.
• Mindful purchases. Do you really need the latest and greatest shiniest new gadget? I for one am definitely more considerate of the resources that it took to make any new device that catches my eye now and re-evaluating if I truly need to upgrade a whole device or just a part of it.
• With the world's hunger for more EVs, more smart phones, and overall just more digital devices, in turn comes a mammoth need for more metals to construct these devices. Copper is now coveted as a metallic veins of a country, highly malleable and conductive, carrying electricity from wind and solar generators across miles. (Silver would work better, but that's already exorbitantly expensive for other uses.) We need nickel and lithium to store our energy in batteries, especially with the explosive use of EVs globally now. And there are 17 rare earth metals sought after for our modern devices--for our smart device screens, we need indium to make them more sensitive to touch, europium to enhance the vividness of colors. Neodymium to make permanent magnets in EVs, earphones, speakers, hard drives, etc.
• However, in order to satisfy the demand for these metals, comes the environmental cost of mining--explosives to break the rock, that leave behind radioactive waste, mines hogging the water for processing operations in water-depleted lands, air pollution, destruction of forests and biodiversity, etc. Historically mining was something us westerners deemed to be "dirty" and eventually outsourced to foreign lands like China to mine and refine (China still refines ~90% of the worlds metals to this day, being the only ones with the infrastructure setup to do so.)
• Then we get to the geopolitical implications of not having mining resources available in our own backyard--our over-reliance on nickel, for example, meant that even when the U.S. was against Russian invading Ukraine, we still bought nickel from them. We were helping fund the country to invade, in a sense. China had also flexed its rare earth metals against Japan, barring the export of it until Japan ceded to their demands, serving as a huge wakeup call to the west that they needed to find other sources for coveted metals.
• Beiser also touched on how underdeveloped our ability to truly recycle anything--coal-intensive factories to break down materials to the point where they can be recycled. In the U.S. there is woefully so little infrastructure to actually recycle the majority of our waste. We essentially need a reverse supply chain--where in a regular supply chain, the construction of a machine is put together piece-by-piece; for reverse supply chains, we need to take things apart bit-by-bit. Without doing so, there is so much metal already mined going to waste, never to be used again.
• What the world should be better about is embracing the doctrine of reuse. Instead of making devices repairable, as was done in before the 1960s(I think), we instead have companies making things intentionally difficult to repair on your own, forcing consumers to just buy a new device altogether, especially in the west (voiding warranties if opened, glueing pieces together, or screwing devices shut with proprietary screws that need a special screw driver to take them apart).
• Then finally was the reminder that we should actually construct our city to consume less
• Lessen the demand for cars usage: the U.S. intentionally designed most of its cities with the intent that everyone get around by car. However, we should embrace more infrastructure that does not require that people get around by individual vehicles. Amsterdam was designed to be commutable by bus, whether as a student or a buttoned-up business man, everyone uses the mode of transportation, with little fear of being hit by vehicles, because the city was intentional in its design. Let's say we even promote eBikes, which would require a battery--even then, the battery would be several times smaller than the battery required by an EV, demanding less metal to be mined to produce. Not to mention the other benefits that come with locomotion such as improvement in health, happiness, and better air quality. Not that the need for a car will fully need to go away, but it's usage can be lowered significantly.
• Mindful purchases. Do you really need the latest and greatest shiniest new gadget? I for one am definitely more considerate of the resources that it took to make any new device that catches my eye now and re-evaluating if I truly need to upgrade a whole device or just a part of it.
March 11, 2025
Saw this author on MSNBC. Forget what show. But what they said made sense. There is so much to unpack in this book.
Precious metals that are needed for our electronic devices are becoming more and more valuable (see Trump wanting metals from Ukraine), and countries compete to bring them to market. But, the problem is that they are found mixed with other metals and extracting them is not only expensive, but creates dangerous toxins in the sludge that comes from the process.
"All of this can result in a huge range of poisons accumulating in the land and human bodies. by-products from mining and refining rare earth ores have polluted the nearby Yellow River (China) and sown skeletal deformities among the inhabitants of the Baotou region. 'Twenty minutes outside of Baotou,' writes Aaron Persanowski in the Right To Repair, 'sits a toxic lake described by the BBC as a 'nightmarish...hell on earth.' It is filled with 'black, barely-liquid toxic sludge---the by-product of the nearby Baogang Steel and Rare Earth mine. This noxious muck has leached into local waterways and irrigation systems with devastating consequences Decades before it became the center of the rare earth trade, Baotou was surrounded by fields of watermelons, eggplants, and tomatoes. These days, the soil can no longer support crops, the livestock has died off, and residents are battling leukemia and pancreatic cancer. Others report their hair and teeth falling out.'"
Other chapters discuss recycling and re-claiming metals from fdiscarfded products.
"Everyone loves the idea of recycling. It seems like such a self-evidently righteous thing to do: Use old newspapers to make new ones and save a tree! The version of recycling that most of us are familiar with makes it seem easy. You put your empty bottles, cans, and used paper in plastic bins, but them outside with your trash, and a truck comes along to haul it all away. All very tidy. Makes you feel like you're doing your part. So, when environmentalists say the way to avoid mining critical metals is by increasing recycling, it sounds intuitively right. Most people don't ask further questions."
Another chapter looks at enterprises in, say India, where poor people work in masse to extract parts from old phones. Sounds okay, eh? but then you realize that in every household there is probably a drawer where those discarded phones, and what nots sits. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Getting those to a centralized location is easier said than done.
Then there is a chapter that focuses on giving new lives to old things, and a whole bunch of people who would like to fix things they own, but are stymied by the lack of information on how to do so. Companies do not want their products to be fixed. They would rather you buy a new one. Planned obsolesce.
"Today, from its base in San Luis Obispo, iFixit hosts a free online repository of more than 103,000 do-it-yourself repair manuals for some 54,000 separate products, from the iPhone 15 Pro to Black & Decker's handheld pet-hair vacuum. Some are written by staff members, many by volunteers. Millions of people visit the website ever month. The company makes money selling tools and replacement parts and from consulting services. Wiens declined to share his revenue numbers, but there's enough cash coming in for him to employ about 170 people.
'Our mission is to teach everyone to fix everything,' he says. 'We want to make it easy to share knowledge and simple to do repairs.' To do that at scale, however, Wiens decided it wasn't enough to rely on individuals figuring out solutions and sharing what they learned. He wanted to force the corporations that make that gear to help. Or, at least, to stop making it harder."
I could go on... No matter where you stand on the divide, we need to get a handle resources or live next to a toxic dump.
Precious metals that are needed for our electronic devices are becoming more and more valuable (see Trump wanting metals from Ukraine), and countries compete to bring them to market. But, the problem is that they are found mixed with other metals and extracting them is not only expensive, but creates dangerous toxins in the sludge that comes from the process.
"All of this can result in a huge range of poisons accumulating in the land and human bodies. by-products from mining and refining rare earth ores have polluted the nearby Yellow River (China) and sown skeletal deformities among the inhabitants of the Baotou region. 'Twenty minutes outside of Baotou,' writes Aaron Persanowski in the Right To Repair, 'sits a toxic lake described by the BBC as a 'nightmarish...hell on earth.' It is filled with 'black, barely-liquid toxic sludge---the by-product of the nearby Baogang Steel and Rare Earth mine. This noxious muck has leached into local waterways and irrigation systems with devastating consequences Decades before it became the center of the rare earth trade, Baotou was surrounded by fields of watermelons, eggplants, and tomatoes. These days, the soil can no longer support crops, the livestock has died off, and residents are battling leukemia and pancreatic cancer. Others report their hair and teeth falling out.'"
Other chapters discuss recycling and re-claiming metals from fdiscarfded products.
"Everyone loves the idea of recycling. It seems like such a self-evidently righteous thing to do: Use old newspapers to make new ones and save a tree! The version of recycling that most of us are familiar with makes it seem easy. You put your empty bottles, cans, and used paper in plastic bins, but them outside with your trash, and a truck comes along to haul it all away. All very tidy. Makes you feel like you're doing your part. So, when environmentalists say the way to avoid mining critical metals is by increasing recycling, it sounds intuitively right. Most people don't ask further questions."
Another chapter looks at enterprises in, say India, where poor people work in masse to extract parts from old phones. Sounds okay, eh? but then you realize that in every household there is probably a drawer where those discarded phones, and what nots sits. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Getting those to a centralized location is easier said than done.
Then there is a chapter that focuses on giving new lives to old things, and a whole bunch of people who would like to fix things they own, but are stymied by the lack of information on how to do so. Companies do not want their products to be fixed. They would rather you buy a new one. Planned obsolesce.
"Today, from its base in San Luis Obispo, iFixit hosts a free online repository of more than 103,000 do-it-yourself repair manuals for some 54,000 separate products, from the iPhone 15 Pro to Black & Decker's handheld pet-hair vacuum. Some are written by staff members, many by volunteers. Millions of people visit the website ever month. The company makes money selling tools and replacement parts and from consulting services. Wiens declined to share his revenue numbers, but there's enough cash coming in for him to employ about 170 people.
'Our mission is to teach everyone to fix everything,' he says. 'We want to make it easy to share knowledge and simple to do repairs.' To do that at scale, however, Wiens decided it wasn't enough to rely on individuals figuring out solutions and sharing what they learned. He wanted to force the corporations that make that gear to help. Or, at least, to stop making it harder."
I could go on... No matter where you stand on the divide, we need to get a handle resources or live next to a toxic dump.
August 19, 2025
Just finished reading Power Metal, and man what a roller-coaster of emotions! The first half of the book is all about how "nothing comes without a cost," particularly this time about how today's electronic conveniences are built on the backs of an army of the global underclass who do the mining and then the "urban mining," the reverse supply chain that fires up as soon as you are done with your phone, appliance, or electric car. This is the scary part of the roller-coaster, and the part that you are probably participating in (so read the darn book!) The second part is about how an ordinary person making their way over this god-forsaken planet can make a difference in the equation - so read the book please!
I am from Generation X, born the first year after the baby boom ended, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Like many of my generation, I grew up with a constant and escalating dread of what our giddy overconsumption pattern was eventually going to lead to. Then the electric car came along, and a large portion of us let out a huge sigh of relief followed by a great cheer: guilt free resumption of the car lifestyle, and no global warming (that's what we used to call climate change) to boot! However, another portion of us, which I confess I slipped in to, were less sanguine about the electric car. Don't those things take a lot of electricity? and if lots of people are diving them, where are we supposed to get the electricity from? This book is for us - the people with vague misgivings about the electric car panacea. The down-side of electric cars is laid bare, and it's not pretty: Beyond the fact that they are incredibly carbon-intensive to make, they are full of components that are ethically troublesome to procure, and by the way you can't just make electricity by rubbing your hands together (well, not enough, anyways) so what do you want - coal-fired power plant? Dam up a carbon sink? Let's bring back nuclear what the heck? [If you are thinking: "damn! I spent a lot of money on that electric car, I don't want to feel bad about it!" You can balance your dismay out by reading a Andrew Nikiforuk's Tar Sands, or any of a myriad of books about how horrible oil is. Still thinking the electric car is an improvement, but...]
It turns out that by consuming electric cars, and other electronics like cell phones, computers, and air conditioners, we are touching a lot of lives, some of them quite young, by sending them to mine and otherwise procure the bits and pieces the electronic consumer-items need. Then, when we upgrade and toss them away, if they are lucky, someone will catch them and send them to places like Nigeria where the circuit-boards are ripped out by workers, who, I believe, are not protected by a union - or a government that cares about them. But, they feel lucky because millions do not have the "luck" to have a job like theirs! Speaking of Governments, how do you feel about supporting the Government of China? That's where most of the recycling of these eponymous metals is done - so that's what you are doing when you consume electronics. Hm.
Okay, so what about the other part of the roller-coaster, the fun part? Well, Beiser describes lots of things that you can do to mitigate the harm of the above. So, the second half of the book is somewhat hopeful. Of course, if I do all of those things, it won't make much difference, but there are a lot of people like me on the planet. Already, they are transforming The Netherlands. So read this book!
I am from Generation X, born the first year after the baby boom ended, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Like many of my generation, I grew up with a constant and escalating dread of what our giddy overconsumption pattern was eventually going to lead to. Then the electric car came along, and a large portion of us let out a huge sigh of relief followed by a great cheer: guilt free resumption of the car lifestyle, and no global warming (that's what we used to call climate change) to boot! However, another portion of us, which I confess I slipped in to, were less sanguine about the electric car. Don't those things take a lot of electricity? and if lots of people are diving them, where are we supposed to get the electricity from? This book is for us - the people with vague misgivings about the electric car panacea. The down-side of electric cars is laid bare, and it's not pretty: Beyond the fact that they are incredibly carbon-intensive to make, they are full of components that are ethically troublesome to procure, and by the way you can't just make electricity by rubbing your hands together (well, not enough, anyways) so what do you want - coal-fired power plant? Dam up a carbon sink? Let's bring back nuclear what the heck? [If you are thinking: "damn! I spent a lot of money on that electric car, I don't want to feel bad about it!" You can balance your dismay out by reading a Andrew Nikiforuk's Tar Sands, or any of a myriad of books about how horrible oil is. Still thinking the electric car is an improvement, but...]
It turns out that by consuming electric cars, and other electronics like cell phones, computers, and air conditioners, we are touching a lot of lives, some of them quite young, by sending them to mine and otherwise procure the bits and pieces the electronic consumer-items need. Then, when we upgrade and toss them away, if they are lucky, someone will catch them and send them to places like Nigeria where the circuit-boards are ripped out by workers, who, I believe, are not protected by a union - or a government that cares about them. But, they feel lucky because millions do not have the "luck" to have a job like theirs! Speaking of Governments, how do you feel about supporting the Government of China? That's where most of the recycling of these eponymous metals is done - so that's what you are doing when you consume electronics. Hm.
Okay, so what about the other part of the roller-coaster, the fun part? Well, Beiser describes lots of things that you can do to mitigate the harm of the above. So, the second half of the book is somewhat hopeful. Of course, if I do all of those things, it won't make much difference, but there are a lot of people like me on the planet. Already, they are transforming The Netherlands. So read this book!
June 9, 2025
I'm not a big non-fiction reader, and while I had a general sense of many of the issues discussed, and do not need to be sold on any of the solutions, I learned a lot and found this to be a compelling, quick read. I read via audio, narrated by the author, and do recommend.
Power Metal is written by a journalist, so gives a brief look at a wide range of issues, all surrounding metal. The metal we extract from the earth and use in our daily lives, but mostly in our tech, and our "clean" energy. I had a brief sense of mining = bad, for both the earth and the humans who do the work (often under duress or extremely poorly paid), but I learned a lot. Such as how many countries still predominantly rely on coal power while mining and processing and making the batteries we use to power our "carbon neutral" vehicles and alt power sources.
The first half of this book had me depressed. But also waiting for some solution. Would the author (a journalist) include one, or was this just a round up of info with a few tongue-in-cheek asides?
We finally get there in chapter 8, which discusses the "reverse supply chain" aka recycling. Me and the recycling sorting shelf in my basement have already drunk this kool-aid, but does any of it matter when celebrities are taking 11-minutes rides to space for funsies? And also fuck, of course even recycling has massive enviro and human costs. The so-called rich countries love to dump our crap elsewhere for others to deal with. CONSUME LESS STUFF.
And then chapter 11, it's not anti-car. It's 15-minute cities and urban living without having to rely on cars. It's the USA has SEVEN parking spaces PER CAR across the country. It's EV's are not the solution. Good public transportation and a safe cycling network is. The author does not suggest rural grocery trips should be accomplished via cycle, but he does remind us that The Netherlands went from 450 child deaths by car in ONE YEAR to the (urban) cycling utopia many of us aspire to today.
I did not need to be sold on any of this, but still learned a lot and found this to be a very compelling read. It is US focused, but looks at the world as a whole. It acknowledges the harm we are doing when we rely on other countries to dump waste or process the components for our low carbon lifestyle. It didn't go quite as far as Eat the Rich, but we can get there if we try!
Power Metal is written by a journalist, so gives a brief look at a wide range of issues, all surrounding metal. The metal we extract from the earth and use in our daily lives, but mostly in our tech, and our "clean" energy. I had a brief sense of mining = bad, for both the earth and the humans who do the work (often under duress or extremely poorly paid), but I learned a lot. Such as how many countries still predominantly rely on coal power while mining and processing and making the batteries we use to power our "carbon neutral" vehicles and alt power sources.
The first half of this book had me depressed. But also waiting for some solution. Would the author (a journalist) include one, or was this just a round up of info with a few tongue-in-cheek asides?
We finally get there in chapter 8, which discusses the "reverse supply chain" aka recycling. Me and the recycling sorting shelf in my basement have already drunk this kool-aid, but does any of it matter when celebrities are taking 11-minutes rides to space for funsies? And also fuck, of course even recycling has massive enviro and human costs. The so-called rich countries love to dump our crap elsewhere for others to deal with. CONSUME LESS STUFF.
And then chapter 11, it's not anti-car. It's 15-minute cities and urban living without having to rely on cars. It's the USA has SEVEN parking spaces PER CAR across the country. It's EV's are not the solution. Good public transportation and a safe cycling network is. The author does not suggest rural grocery trips should be accomplished via cycle, but he does remind us that The Netherlands went from 450 child deaths by car in ONE YEAR to the (urban) cycling utopia many of us aspire to today.
I did not need to be sold on any of this, but still learned a lot and found this to be a very compelling read. It is US focused, but looks at the world as a whole. It acknowledges the harm we are doing when we rely on other countries to dump waste or process the components for our low carbon lifestyle. It didn't go quite as far as Eat the Rich, but we can get there if we try!
January 16, 2025
Compelling read that explores the challenges and opportunities how and where to source the minerals needed for the on-going energy transition!
Beiser - the author - guides readers through the complexities of securing the minerals essential for renewable energy technologies. He begins by examining traditional mining, discussing its environmental and social impacts alongside its economic benefits. The subsequent chapter delves into urban mining and recycling, highlighting the potential for recovering valuable materials from discarded electronics and other waste streams. Finally, chapter 3 emphasizes the crucial role of the circular economy, including reuse, repair, and product life extension, in minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact.
While the author maintains a critical perspective throughout, acknowledging the significant hurdles to achieving a truly sustainable energy future, he stays optimistic. The book effectively communicates the urgency of the situation while offering practical solutions, including individual actions such as embracing public transportation and minimizing personal consumption.
For those with a background in the commodity industry, like myself, the book may have benefited from a deeper dive into technological advancements in mining and recycling. Particularly recycling technologies require further break-through, see mentioned examples such as solar panels and blades. However, the extensive notes section provides ample resources for further studies.
Overall, "Power Metal" is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the energy transition. Beiser's engaging writing style and insightful analysis make this book a entertaining read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the mining world. I particularly enjoyed chapter 3, which resonated with me. Having lived around the globe and being an avid cyclist, I keenly understand how public policies and regulations can facilitate our daily choices and ultimately shape the future of energy.
Beiser - the author - guides readers through the complexities of securing the minerals essential for renewable energy technologies. He begins by examining traditional mining, discussing its environmental and social impacts alongside its economic benefits. The subsequent chapter delves into urban mining and recycling, highlighting the potential for recovering valuable materials from discarded electronics and other waste streams. Finally, chapter 3 emphasizes the crucial role of the circular economy, including reuse, repair, and product life extension, in minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact.
While the author maintains a critical perspective throughout, acknowledging the significant hurdles to achieving a truly sustainable energy future, he stays optimistic. The book effectively communicates the urgency of the situation while offering practical solutions, including individual actions such as embracing public transportation and minimizing personal consumption.
For those with a background in the commodity industry, like myself, the book may have benefited from a deeper dive into technological advancements in mining and recycling. Particularly recycling technologies require further break-through, see mentioned examples such as solar panels and blades. However, the extensive notes section provides ample resources for further studies.
Overall, "Power Metal" is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion about the energy transition. Beiser's engaging writing style and insightful analysis make this book a entertaining read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the mining world. I particularly enjoyed chapter 3, which resonated with me. Having lived around the globe and being an avid cyclist, I keenly understand how public policies and regulations can facilitate our daily choices and ultimately shape the future of energy.
May 9, 2025
I read this book with great interest. The Earth is now in the middle of a climate change crisis due to carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning, cement production, and other activities quantified in Hawken's Drawdown. One solution is to use battery-powered vehicles, and solar energy and its byproduct wind energy to reduce our use of fossil fuel. However, as documented by Beiser in Power Metal, Siddharth Kara in 'Cobalt Red', and Helen Scales, a marine biologist, in 'The Brilliant Abyss', the rare earth metals needed for batteries and wind turbine magnets are in short supply, largely controlled by the People's Republic of China, and harvested with dire environmental and human costs. Kara documents the horrid condition of artisanal cobalt miners in the Congo, and Scales makes a strong case to postpone the collection of deep-sea Manganese nodules, loaded with the essential metals of cobalt, Neodymium, and nickel, because they can only be harvested by destroying large areas of the surprisingly species-reach, but poorly studied, deep sea in the massive Clarion Clipperton Zone 3-miles deep Southeast of Hawaii and stretching nearly to South America. Beiser in this book describes the potentially disastrous effects of mining planned by the Canadian 'The Metals Company' headed by CEO Gerard Baron. Unlike Scales and Kara, Beiser stresses the need for a circular economy of recycling metals and concludes his book by arguing that society needs to transition from autos to bikes. I'm not sure whether bikes are the solution, but they are a partial solution in addition to public transportation like efficient commuter rail. But, recycling of metals from waste electronics is vitally important. Beiser presents cases of small-scale recycling efforts, but nations, other than the US, are devoting considerable resources on the technology to recycle waste to achieve environmental sustainabiliity.
January 26, 2025
The book is a fairly easy read and delivers a quite important message: as we are cheering for the electrification and digitization of everything, we tend to forget the dirty underbelly that supports the new era. It is no surprise that the supply side of the story is conveniently omitted in most, if not all, tech conferences (same as the meat industry hiding away the torture and butcher of farm animals), but to claim oneself as an environmentally conscious and responsible consumer who at least bothers to separate regular trash, recyclables, and compost, one must dare to look the beast of metal mining and e-waste recycling right in the eye before buying the next hot gadget on a Black Friday sale. The short answer is that no, we don't need another smart device, and the same goes for clothes, and sweet mother of nature forbid, automobiles.
It would be such an irony that in a bid to slow down the pace of climate change, we mine so much metal so fast that the collateral damage to the land and ocean will accomplish the catastrophe of climate change much more quickly. In an economy driven mainly by the delusion of endless profit-chasing, I fear that the irony, instead of the cautious optimism presented in the book, is what awaits us down the road.
-- p84
It would be such an irony that in a bid to slow down the pace of climate change, we mine so much metal so fast that the collateral damage to the land and ocean will accomplish the catastrophe of climate change much more quickly. In an economy driven mainly by the delusion of endless profit-chasing, I fear that the irony, instead of the cautious optimism presented in the book, is what awaits us down the road.
Here, again, is the familiar conundrum: the spread of digital technology and electric vehicles will ultimately benefit most people in most places, but the heaviest cost of this shift are being paid by only some people and some places.
-- p84
October 7, 2025
***.5
Beiser highlights the difficulties and hazards of obtaining sufficient quantities of rare earth elements and the other scarce resources that are essential in constructing our modern products. He details the environmental, health, and safety impacts of dangerous mines and dirty smelters, with the impact often felt by poor people living far away from the consumers of the end products.
The scarcity also means that countries like China which have domestic sources for these raw materials are at a significant advantage, and this presents an urgent threat to the US economy. His solution is the familiar refrain of "reduce, reuse, recycle," for instance repair your old cellphone rather than throw it away and buy a new one every year, and bike to work rather than drive the giant SUV.
While he mostly makes good points, his emphasis on the downsides of pursuing renewable energy and associated electric infrastructure is presented almost in a vacuum. He makes it sound very bad, but doesn't detail the comparison to the alternative, i.e. continuing to burn fossil fuels as we've been doing. Yes, lithium EV batteries can catch fire, but so can gasoline. Mining things cobalt is bad, but so is mining coal and fracking. Smelting nickel is bad, but anyone who's ever driven past an oil refinery knows that they aren't really the epitome of environmentally friendly. In his effort to push a radical environmentalist message, he's inadvertently adopted the arguments of his fiercest opponents who fight to preserve the status quo.
Beiser highlights the difficulties and hazards of obtaining sufficient quantities of rare earth elements and the other scarce resources that are essential in constructing our modern products. He details the environmental, health, and safety impacts of dangerous mines and dirty smelters, with the impact often felt by poor people living far away from the consumers of the end products.
The scarcity also means that countries like China which have domestic sources for these raw materials are at a significant advantage, and this presents an urgent threat to the US economy. His solution is the familiar refrain of "reduce, reuse, recycle," for instance repair your old cellphone rather than throw it away and buy a new one every year, and bike to work rather than drive the giant SUV.
While he mostly makes good points, his emphasis on the downsides of pursuing renewable energy and associated electric infrastructure is presented almost in a vacuum. He makes it sound very bad, but doesn't detail the comparison to the alternative, i.e. continuing to burn fossil fuels as we've been doing. Yes, lithium EV batteries can catch fire, but so can gasoline. Mining things cobalt is bad, but so is mining coal and fracking. Smelting nickel is bad, but anyone who's ever driven past an oil refinery knows that they aren't really the epitome of environmentally friendly. In his effort to push a radical environmentalist message, he's inadvertently adopted the arguments of his fiercest opponents who fight to preserve the status quo.
September 22, 2024
With extensive, relevant, and accurate research incorporated within each paragraph, this book is a must read for anyone concerned about the push for more electric vehicles and what that demand means for our environment. Aside from mentioning some sources from interviews in the text, the "Notes" and "Bibliography" at the end of the book provide the reader with additional, high quality texts that they may explore as a supplement to their personal education.
I've become more knowledgeable about the dangers of mining, how recycling isn't the perfect solutions, and how our government needs to add more legislation that reduces the need for products that require large quantities of rare and critical metals. With the lack of opportunities and incentives to motivate the public, the idea of using older models of products until they die can be very unappealing. However, recycling the products takes enormous amounts of energy, and the parts that can't be recycled are turned into toxic fumes or sludge that pollute the land, water, and air, as well as harm the creatures who live nearby. For cars, the largest demanders of rare and critical metals currently, the transition into a more eco-friendly form of transportation starts with redesigning the road ways to protect and promote bicyclists and pedestrians' travel. The next step would not be to remove cars altogether, but create a transportation structure that focuses more on public transportation, biking, and walking.
I've become more knowledgeable about the dangers of mining, how recycling isn't the perfect solutions, and how our government needs to add more legislation that reduces the need for products that require large quantities of rare and critical metals. With the lack of opportunities and incentives to motivate the public, the idea of using older models of products until they die can be very unappealing. However, recycling the products takes enormous amounts of energy, and the parts that can't be recycled are turned into toxic fumes or sludge that pollute the land, water, and air, as well as harm the creatures who live nearby. For cars, the largest demanders of rare and critical metals currently, the transition into a more eco-friendly form of transportation starts with redesigning the road ways to protect and promote bicyclists and pedestrians' travel. The next step would not be to remove cars altogether, but create a transportation structure that focuses more on public transportation, biking, and walking.
July 10, 2025
76, all about the dirty industry behind the rare earth elements extraction mining. The sleuthing is sludging All of the slurry that comes up unfortunately as a results because we use some very dirty mastures to extract these wear Eartha metals. So many just get thrown away. Man Sucks lithium Cadmium copper Nickel.
Cobalt. There's so many different, Uh, what he says. And a lot of them are really cool, But a lot of these things have to be powered By fossil fuels because we don't have the energy and capacity of converting these things effectively. So short term. It's very expensive, and I can see why the author came Down hard, saying these things are so expensive. And yes, biking biking is awesome. Cycling is awesome. My cycle every day indoors Because Bicycles are very small. Do you don't have to transport very much? The bicycles are ideal. If you do have to transports a lot more something like a Prius or a Tesla are very nice options. So as we continue to convert things into cleaner resources Which we have to, We are going to continue to spend a lot of phosphus up front to convert them. But That's the unfortunate, short-term cost. As long as we can pay it, And it doesn't go catastrophic. And we do intentionally Pushed into the heart areas of converting these into renewable energy resources, such as Solar And Hydropower. We are moving towards a much better Horizon.
Cobalt. There's so many different, Uh, what he says. And a lot of them are really cool, But a lot of these things have to be powered By fossil fuels because we don't have the energy and capacity of converting these things effectively. So short term. It's very expensive, and I can see why the author came Down hard, saying these things are so expensive. And yes, biking biking is awesome. Cycling is awesome. My cycle every day indoors Because Bicycles are very small. Do you don't have to transport very much? The bicycles are ideal. If you do have to transports a lot more something like a Prius or a Tesla are very nice options. So as we continue to convert things into cleaner resources Which we have to, We are going to continue to spend a lot of phosphus up front to convert them. But That's the unfortunate, short-term cost. As long as we can pay it, And it doesn't go catastrophic. And we do intentionally Pushed into the heart areas of converting these into renewable energy resources, such as Solar And Hydropower. We are moving towards a much better Horizon.
February 24, 2025
3.5 Stars. This book discusses digital tech, the internet, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and how important metals are including nickel, lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite, etc. The Chinese have a sort of monopoly on refining metals. Everything has a cost and a benefit. There are 17 rare earth metals. They are used for cell phones, TVs, magnets, etc. Many of the rare earth producers are in poor countries. People kill for copper in South Africa. There's so much to learn here and most of us don't know where things come from and how they're made. Recycling is fine, but the reverse supply chain is costly as well. There is no easy answer to 'saving the planet' and poorer countries have different issues than the developed world. The author likes to blame all the problems on 'climate change' but this premise is far from scientifically proven. His answer is to give up your car, buy fewer clothes, use a bicycle to get around. That's fine if you're in a big city, but those who are not, can not live on bikes. Wind and solar and renewables also have a huge cost, and may not be the answer. If you're a left wing socialist, you will agree with most of this book. If you're not, your takeaway will be some good history on mining and how we get rare earth and other metals.
November 23, 2024
From Chile to Lagos to Vancouver, he takes the reader on a journey beyond knee-jerk simple solutions to the true complexity of the modern electro-digital era. Definitely enjoyed the personal, engaging writing style! For those interested in energy, climate change, and just generally how we live in the world it's not only an important book, but a surprisingly readable one.
Because honestly, the transition to the green economy/economy of the future doesn't instinctively seem like a fun (or engaging) read, but Beiser's combination of solid research, on-the-ground reporting, thoughtful analysis, and unexpected perspectives make this a compelling book.
While there are a number of books on this increasingly important and urgent topic, what I liked about Beiser's is the big-picture perspective. It feels like it ties in the elements of mining, energy transition, political landscape, and climate change and also connects it back to the personal. It's not just a problem "out there" its also something that impacts us in ways large and small. And that we can impact even in small ways.
Overall really enjoyed.
Because honestly, the transition to the green economy/economy of the future doesn't instinctively seem like a fun (or engaging) read, but Beiser's combination of solid research, on-the-ground reporting, thoughtful analysis, and unexpected perspectives make this a compelling book.
While there are a number of books on this increasingly important and urgent topic, what I liked about Beiser's is the big-picture perspective. It feels like it ties in the elements of mining, energy transition, political landscape, and climate change and also connects it back to the personal. It's not just a problem "out there" its also something that impacts us in ways large and small. And that we can impact even in small ways.
Overall really enjoyed.
October 20, 2025
Power Metal by Vince Beiser is a searing, globe-spanning investigation into the hidden cost of the modern world’s technological ambitions. From AI-driven mineral hunts in the Arctic to e-waste scavengers in Nigeria, Beiser exposes the brutal paradox of progress that the same metals powering our digital dreams are also fueling inequality, exploitation, and ecological collapse.
Beiser writes with the narrative force of a journalist and the conscience of a historian. He takes readers beneath the surface of “green” revolutions to reveal the human and environmental toll of the minerals economy the cobalt mined by hand, the lithium that poisons rivers, the copper wars shaping geopolitics. The result is a gripping, unsettling chronicle of how our pursuit of sustainability may be reshaping power itself.
Equal parts investigative journalism and moral reckoning, Power Metal belongs on the same shelf as Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything and Michael Lewis’s The Fifth Risk essential reading for anyone who wants to understand not just where our resources come from, but what they’re costing us.
Beiser writes with the narrative force of a journalist and the conscience of a historian. He takes readers beneath the surface of “green” revolutions to reveal the human and environmental toll of the minerals economy the cobalt mined by hand, the lithium that poisons rivers, the copper wars shaping geopolitics. The result is a gripping, unsettling chronicle of how our pursuit of sustainability may be reshaping power itself.
Equal parts investigative journalism and moral reckoning, Power Metal belongs on the same shelf as Naomi Klein’s This Changes Everything and Michael Lewis’s The Fifth Risk essential reading for anyone who wants to understand not just where our resources come from, but what they’re costing us.
November 20, 2024
Instant classic from Vince Beiser. A true breath of fresh air: well-written, nicely balanced between breadth and depth. Mr. Beiser takes the reader on a multi-leg journey from the cobalt mines of the Congo to the lithium pools of the Atacama salt flats.
What makes this book so good is Mr. Beiser's ability to deftly contextualize each level of the process, from the materials themselves to their economic impact to their environmental and human costs.
This is an important addition to the pantheon of contemporary materials science non-fiction, joining the likes of The War Below and Cobalt Red.
Another fantastic feature of this book, one that is far too often lacking in similar publications, is the set of tangible policy recommendations set forth by Mr. Beiser in the last two chapters.
This is also the only area of the book where Mr. Beiser does, in my opinion, become slightly myopic--though, again--with a more panoptic view than most.
Five stars. Looking forward to the next one.
What makes this book so good is Mr. Beiser's ability to deftly contextualize each level of the process, from the materials themselves to their economic impact to their environmental and human costs.
This is an important addition to the pantheon of contemporary materials science non-fiction, joining the likes of The War Below and Cobalt Red.
Another fantastic feature of this book, one that is far too often lacking in similar publications, is the set of tangible policy recommendations set forth by Mr. Beiser in the last two chapters.
This is also the only area of the book where Mr. Beiser does, in my opinion, become slightly myopic--though, again--with a more panoptic view than most.
Five stars. Looking forward to the next one.
July 13, 2025
“Wyścig o najważniejsze metale świata” Vince’a Beisera to analiza globalnego rynku metali ziem rzadkich oraz innych kluczowych surowców, które napędzają współczesną technologię i gospodarkę. Autor odsłania kulisy polityczne i gospodarcze związane z kontrolą nad pozyskiwaniem i przetwarzaniem tych surowców. Pokazuje nie tylko ich dostępność, ale wpływ korporacji i rządów na lokalne społeczności.
Przekaz jest klarowny - nie ma nic za darmo. Turbina wiatrowa, akumulator, “ekologiczny” gadżet - wszystko zostawia ślad w innym końcu świata. Po jej przeczytaniu rodzą się pytania: czy można bardziej sprawiedliwie zorganizować gospodarkę, czy powinniśmy zaakceptować cenę jaką płaci środowisko i ludzie globalnego południa?
To pozycja obowiązkowa dla wszystkich, którzy chcą zrozumieć mechanizmy stojące za produkcją smartfonów, baterii, czy samochodów elektrycznych. Wyścig o metale to nie tylko kwestia ekonomii, dotyczy on również ekologii, etyki i polityki. Pozwala spojrzeć na świat surowców strategicznych z zupełnie innej perspektywy.
Przekaz jest klarowny - nie ma nic za darmo. Turbina wiatrowa, akumulator, “ekologiczny” gadżet - wszystko zostawia ślad w innym końcu świata. Po jej przeczytaniu rodzą się pytania: czy można bardziej sprawiedliwie zorganizować gospodarkę, czy powinniśmy zaakceptować cenę jaką płaci środowisko i ludzie globalnego południa?
To pozycja obowiązkowa dla wszystkich, którzy chcą zrozumieć mechanizmy stojące za produkcją smartfonów, baterii, czy samochodów elektrycznych. Wyścig o metale to nie tylko kwestia ekonomii, dotyczy on również ekologii, etyki i polityki. Pozwala spojrzeć na świat surowców strategicznych z zupełnie innej perspektywy.
January 20, 2025
Powerful metals
2025 opens with apocalyptic wildfires consuming LA. We've experienced unimaginable flooding in NC, monster hurricanes and we've recorded the hottest year on record already. And yet. We tear the earth apart seeking the limited supply of metals and other resources. Few listened or were willing to make the changes or invest in research for new mining techniques, renewable energy, recycling, etc. when warnings were issued 40+ years ago of what was to come. Well, it's here. What are we doing? Much of our mining for rare earth metals reeks havoc. Despoilation, pollution, and worker safety has long been a by-product of the industry. Worries over copper thieves in South Africa, nickel supply disruption due to Russia/Ukrainian war, and other dangers force us to think hard about options. Recycling, less consumerism and waste, embrace mass transit, safe bicycling, etc can all help make a difference. This is very "readable" book and not overly long.
2025 opens with apocalyptic wildfires consuming LA. We've experienced unimaginable flooding in NC, monster hurricanes and we've recorded the hottest year on record already. And yet. We tear the earth apart seeking the limited supply of metals and other resources. Few listened or were willing to make the changes or invest in research for new mining techniques, renewable energy, recycling, etc. when warnings were issued 40+ years ago of what was to come. Well, it's here. What are we doing? Much of our mining for rare earth metals reeks havoc. Despoilation, pollution, and worker safety has long been a by-product of the industry. Worries over copper thieves in South Africa, nickel supply disruption due to Russia/Ukrainian war, and other dangers force us to think hard about options. Recycling, less consumerism and waste, embrace mass transit, safe bicycling, etc can all help make a difference. This is very "readable" book and not overly long.
April 26, 2025
Vince Beiser is deceiving himself and the rest of us - and jeopardizing the planet in the process.
He spends most of the book noting, correctly, how damaging mining metals is to the planet, species diversity and humans via environmental, political, societal, and economic costs. And noting how difficult and expensive it is to meaningfully mitigate these costs.
Then, Beiser in the last chapter, says we need to do all of these things to save the planet that he noted are almost impossible to do. Just plain deception.
Further, he totally ignores our overpopulation and culture of eternal population and economic growth - which is even now overwhelming all else we do to fix virtually any of our major problems.
We need real solutions, which must face the realities. We must have degrowth.
Beiser is apparently into political correctness and feel good. We need do good.
We need degrowth. And we need authors that can show credibility.
He spends most of the book noting, correctly, how damaging mining metals is to the planet, species diversity and humans via environmental, political, societal, and economic costs. And noting how difficult and expensive it is to meaningfully mitigate these costs.
Then, Beiser in the last chapter, says we need to do all of these things to save the planet that he noted are almost impossible to do. Just plain deception.
Further, he totally ignores our overpopulation and culture of eternal population and economic growth - which is even now overwhelming all else we do to fix virtually any of our major problems.
We need real solutions, which must face the realities. We must have degrowth.
Beiser is apparently into political correctness and feel good. We need do good.
We need degrowth. And we need authors that can show credibility.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews