As climate change worsens, industry is exploiting the emergency to claim that mining is justified – no matter the impact to clean water or nearby communities – because we need more metals in order to transition to clean energy. While the urgency of shifting to clean energy is indisputable, it’s also clear that “climate solutions” that pollute increasingly scarce clean water, perpetrate environmental injustice, and undermine other climate mitigation strategies, like preserving carbon-rich peatlands, are not the answer. Industry greenwashing distracts from real climate solutions, which is why MCEA has invested time and resources into uncovering the truth behind empty mining industry promises and pushing for community-supported climate pollution reductions strategies. We have better options, and need better conversations.

The Mining the Climate Crisis collection of webinars and articles is our way of moving that conversation forward. The materials address topics such as environmental justice for mining-affected communities, the role of recycling and material substitution in metals demand, and the necessity of protecting clean water in a water-stressed world.

We’re committed to sharing nuanced, fair, and science-based perspectives. To that end, if you have topics you’d like us to cover, or people you think we should talk to, please don’t hesitate to share ideas and questions here.