Imagine the sleek electric vehicle in your driveway or the solar panels soaking up sun on your roof. Behind these everyday wonders lies a gritty, global showdown over the minerals that make them possible. Ernest Scheyder's The War Below takes you deep into this fray, explaining how lithium and copper extraction is sparking fierce debates worldwide.
Mines aren't just holes in the ground—they're battlegrounds. Scheyder details explosive confrontations between industry heavyweights hungry for resources and fierce opponents protecting rare habitats, sacred Indigenous sites, and delicate ecosystems. From remote deserts to community backyards, these projects face backlash even as they're key to combating climate change and fueling tech like phones and batteries.
Recycling sounds ideal, but Scheyder shows why it's struggling to scale amid surging demand. He breaks down the tech hurdles and economic realities holding it back, painting a clear picture of our reliance on new digs. Plus, dive into Washington's strategic moves to reduce dependence on China, the powerhouse in mineral processing.
This isn't dry policy talk—Scheyder's reporting brings the human element alive. Meet the families displaced, activists fighting for their land, and policymakers navigating impossible choices. It's a nuanced view of energy independence's true price, blending on-the-ground stories with big-picture analysis.
Whether you're tracking EV trends, pondering sustainable tech, or just want to understand the news on supply chains, The War Below delivers accessible, illuminating prose. Longlisted for top awards, it's praised for revealing the 360-degree ripple effects of the energy transition. Grab it for your next read on the shelf—it's the kind of book that sparks dinner-table debates about our powered lives and what they'll cost us.
