indigenous lands
Newsletter
Photo by Stacie Clark on Unsplash
As New York officials push clean hydrogen project, Indigenous nation sees a threat to its land
The Tonawanda Seneca see the industrial development next door as a threat to the woods they depend on for game and medicines, and the failure of the company and permitting agencies to consult them as another assault on their treaty rights.
Photo by Shane McLendon on Unsplash
In rush for key metals, Canada ushers miners to its fragile north
Canada is offering incentives to mining companies to dig in its northern regions for the critical minerals needed for EVs and solar panels, writes Yale Environment 360 reporter Ed Struzik.
In a nutshell:
Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, aimed at meeting the demand for minerals used in electric vehicles and solar power, is attracting mining companies to previously inaccessible regions in the country's north. The strategy offers tax breaks, funding incentives, and a streamlined environmental review process. While it is seen as a way to transition to a post-carbon economy, concerns are raised about potential environmental damage, such as wetland drainage and disturbance of peatlands. Critics argue that the benefits of mining may not outweigh the costs to biodiversity and indigenous communities.
Key quote:
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said, “If I have to hop on a bulldozer myself, we’re going to start building roads in the Ring of Fire.”
The big picture:
The pursuit of mining key metals for renewable energy technologies presents a delicate balancing act between reaping the benefits of combating climate change and safeguarding the environment and human well-being. While mining plays a crucial role in the transition to a cleaner energy future, concerns persist over potential ecological damage as well as the impact on Indigenous communities. Striking a sustainable balance requires rigorous oversight, comprehensive mitigation measures, and a thorough understanding of the long-term environmental and social costs associated with mining operations.
Read the article at Yale Environment 360.
Learn more: The New Lede reporter Shannon Kelleher wrote about green energy and mining pollution. Meanwhile, EHN Senior News Editor Brian Bienkowski focused on mining's legacy on Native land in our Sacred Water series.
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Photo by Ivars Utināns on Unsplash
How Indigenous lands in the Amazon help prevent deadly diseases
Protected indigenous reservations in the Amazon rainforest absorb thousands of tonnes of airborne pollution each year, preventing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and saving millions of dollars in healthcare costs, according to a study published this week.
Newsletter
U.S. can shift to EVs without widespread, destructive mining, report finds
A new report chalks out pathways for the United States to heavily reduce the amount of mined lithium it needs to decarbonize transportation and sidestep “irreversible harms” to water, air, and animal habitats—especially near Indigenous lands.
Newsletter
Eduardo Mendúa, Ecuadorian who fought oil extraction on indigenous land, is shot to death
Eduardo Mendúa, an Indigenous activist who was fighting to protect Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest from oil extraction, has been killed by gunmen, the Indigenous organization CONAIE reports.
For U.S. companies, the race for the new EV battery is on
Spurred by federal mandates and incentives, U.S. manufacturers are pushing forward with developing new battery technologies for electric vehicles. The holy grail is a battery that is safer, costs less, provides longer driving range, and doesn’t use imported “conflict” minerals.
U.S. commits $75 million to relocate three tribes threatened by climate change
The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will grant three tribes $25 million each to relocate homes, schools, and critical infrastructure. These are the first grants distributed under a program aimed at helping tribes cope with climate change.
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