Jacobin Radio Behind the News: Capitalism and the Politics of Nature w/ Alyssa Battistoni
Dec 23, 2025
Thea Riofrancos, a political scientist and author of "Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism," discusses the complexities of lithium extraction essential for green technology. She critiques the mining industry's volatility and colonial legacies while exploring the environmental impact of electric vehicles. Meanwhile, Alyssa Battistoni, an assistant professor and author of "Free Gifts," delves into the political economy of nature, arguing for a rethinking of our relationship with ecosystems and advocating for socialized commons management.
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EV Climate Gains vs. Mining Costs
- Electric vehicles reduce operational emissions and are better for climate, but require more upfront mining and local environmental costs.
- Recycling, smaller vehicles, transit, and denser living cut resource needs and maximize EV benefits.
Reduce Demand With Smarter Infrastructure
- Prioritize public transit, denser housing, smaller vehicles, and robust battery recycling to cut lithium demand.
- These policies reduce extraction, lower costs, and deliver broader social benefits simultaneously.
Political Shifts: Extractive Acceleration Without Climate Focus
- Trump dismantles some green industrial supports but aggressively backs mining and even state equity in mineral firms to pursue 'minerals dominance.'
- This approach accelerates extraction without governance oriented toward climate goals.
