Sometimes we worry too much about emerging technologies that we forget that there are powerful natural solutions as well, say like photosynthesis that takes carbon dioxide and water out of the air and converts it into chemical energy. Plants, especially hard wood trees, are the superheroes of the carbon cycle. The water cycle is essential for life. The problem is when human activity gets in the way of the earth’s processes that are trying to achieve balance for a livable planet. Maybe we should try to help the earth instead of fighting against it? In our “getting back to nature” episode, we have the privilege to talk to Flora Moon of Expressworks on nature-based solutions to climate change, to Dr. Mahta Moghaddam the director of the USC Viterbi Center for Arid climate (AWARE) and Terry Tamminen also from AltaSea and former head of California EPA. We need to keep our minds open to different kinds of solutions for the Energy Transition and these experts are just the ones we need to listen to.References: https://sites.usc.edu/watercenter/front-page/home/

While clean energy goals are critical, environmental groups have expressed their concerns around the environmental damage that would occur as a result of an increase in mining in the U.S. In addition to the lasting environmental harm, mining activities disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. According to a notable MSCI study, many of the transition mineral deposits in the U.S. are located near or within culturally or environmentally important areas to Indigenous Peoples. ” A recent study published in Nature Sustainability found that 54% of mining projects globally are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands. In the United States, 79% of lithium, 68% of cobalt, 97% of nickel, and 89% of copper reserves and resources in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Native American reservations. In our final episode of season two we get an opportunity to talk to two graduate students at the Colorado School of Mines from Native American communities, Kiara Billy and Alex Brunson. Their stories, like those of so many others in our podcast are fascinating and instructive.Stay tuned for season three with more perspectives on the Future of Energy.References . https://iasj.org/shifting-gears-part-ii-indigenous-peoples-rights-and-mining-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20%E2%80%9C97%25%20of%20nickel%2C%2089%25%20of%20copper%2C,located%20within%2035%20miles%20of%20Native%20American%20reservations.%E2%80%9D

Our second episode on the critical topic of Just Transition is with Dr. Richard Luarkie, the newly named director of the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty initiative, or NAMES) at the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Luarkie is a member of the Laguna Pueblo nation from central New Mexico. Talking to Dr. Luarkie helps us to take on a different perspective to the future of energy and of ourselves. He helps us think about the difference between stewardship and ownership, between a clean energy future and a not so clean energy past and about a future that is not a gift from our forefathers but is a loan from future generations. The Laguna Pueblo reservation is on the site of the Jackpile-Anaconda uranium mine that from the 1950 to the early 1980 was one of the largest sources of uranium for the US nuclear stockpile. But when it was closed down, people weren’t thinking about the environment the way we do today. "Just push some dirt over the tailings and walk away was the solution for Indian Country". Sit down and listen carefully. This is a conversation that you don’t want to miss.

References

https://www.minesnewsroom.com/news/native-american-mining-and-energy-sovereignty-initiative-receives-support-alfred-p-sloan

https://payneinstitute.mines.edu/about-old/our-story/