Nicolas Niarchos

Nicolas Niarchos, journalist and author of The Elements of Power, reports on batteries, mining, and Congo’s tangled supply chains. He explores cobalt’s role in lithium-ion tech. He traces colonial legacies, artisanal miners’ dangers, and global competition between China and the U.S. He probes corporate responsibility, recycling, and whether tech shifts really solve deeper political and environmental problems.

Nicolas Niarchos, investigative journalist and author of The Elements of Power, explores the geopolitics of battery metals. He traces cobalt from Congo to China, exposes colonial legacies in mining, and probes nickel, phosphate, and supply-chain accountability. Short, urgent conversations about green tech, human costs, and the scramble for resources.

Nicholas Niarchos, a journalist with notable work in The New Yorker and The Guardian, delves into the dark world of cobalt mining in the Congo. He shares his eye-opening experiences, including his arrest during investigations. The conversation reveals the country's tumultuous history marked by corruption and kleptocracy, highlighting the exploitation of local resources. They discuss the dilemma of child labor and hazardous conditions in artisanal mining while exploring the ethical challenges of cobalt's role in the green economy. It’s a gripping look at journalism's power in exposing harsh realities.

Nicolas Niarchos, a journalist for The New Yorker and author of *Elements of Power*, dives deep into the cobalt supply chains that spark geopolitical tensions. He unpacks the brutal history of cobalt extraction in the Congo, linking it to the rise of China's technological power and the modern kleptocracy. Niarchos reveals the complexities of artisanal mining, corruption, and how multinational companies shape local economies. He also highlights the urgent need for ethical practices in the mining industry as electrification fuels skyrocketing demand.

Nicolas Niarchos, journalist and author of The Elements of Power, reports on critical metals and the human and geopolitical costs of battery supply chains. He traces how cobalt and other metals reshape global power. He explains China’s refining and manufacturing edge, U.S. strategic moves in the DRC, and whether trade deals and new chemistries can clean up the system.

Nicolas Niarchos, an investigative journalist and author of The Elements of Power, sheds light on the troubling hidden costs of battery technology. He exposes the brutal mining realities in Congo and China’s dominance over the battery supply chain. The discussion covers the colonial legacies affecting modern mining, the harsh realities of artisanal labor, and the surprising emissions tradeoffs between hybrids and EVs. Niarchos also emphasizes the urgent need for consumer awareness and proactive governmental strategies to promote ethical practices in the industry.

Nicholas Niarchos, journalist and author of The Elements of Power, dives into the paradoxes of Africa's mineral wealth and our reliance on it for clean energy. He reveals the hidden costs of electric vehicle production, exposing the dark supply chains behind seemingly green technologies. Niarchos critiques the contrasting motives of U.S. and Chinese interests in Africa, framing China as amoral and the U.S. as immoral. He also reflects on his privilege while advocating for reforms in corporate supply chains, emphasizing human rights and environmental responsibility.

Nicolas Niarchos, a Contributor at The New Yorker, shares his firsthand experiences reporting from Sudan's civil war, detailing the plight of minority Black ethnic groups. He recounts his perilous journey to a refugee camp in the Nuba Mountains, a symbolic stronghold for the Nuba people. The discussion reveals the atrocities committed by the Sudanese Army and a militia, emphasizing the impact of starvation and violence on civilians. Niarchos also highlights the chilling threats faced by those targeted, painting a poignant picture of resilience amid chaos.

Nicolas Niarchos, a freelance journalist based in New York, dives into the dark world of cobalt mining in Congo, exploring how this crucial mineral fuels the electric vehicle boom. He discusses the deadly conditions artisanal miners face, including child labor, while also highlighting the stark contrast between the wealth promised to locals and the ongoing exploitation they endure. Niarchos calls for ethical reforms and sustainable practices in the cobalt supply chain, urging consumers to rethink their connection to the technology they use.

(Recorded October 4, 2021) Journalist Nicolas Niarchos may be the grandson of a famous Greek shipping magnate, but he can be found covering challenging and dangerous subjects like conflicts, minerals, and migration in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is a reporter at large at The New Yorker and a contributor to TIME, The Guardian, The New York Times and The Nation. Niarchos speaks with Alec about his upbringing, his journalistic path and his reporting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which exposes exploitation in the cobalt mining industry - and the importance of this crucial element in our global supply chain.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.