Lithium Valley | Episode 6: The Sum of It All

01/24/24 • 53 min

In our final episode of the season, we discuss how efforts to slow global climate change are impacting the Imperial Valley, bringing anxiety and opportunity to those who live there.

We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

In our final episode of the season, we discuss how efforts to slow global climate change are impacting the Imperial Valley, bringing anxiety and opportunity to those who live there.

We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

Previous Episode

Season 1 Trailer | Welcome to Lithium Valley

Electric Futures is a new podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. Season 1 invites listeners on a journey to California's Imperial Valley with former USC provost and Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Charles Zukoski.

The Imperial Valley is an agricultural area east of San Diego and bordering Mexico. It's suddenly in the spotlight thanks to its vast deposits of lithium, a chemical element necessary for the production of batteries needed for electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer products. The extraction and processing of this “white gold” is poised to bring a massive influx of capital to the Imperial Valley, which has the highest unemployment rate in California.

Electric Futures Season 1 explores the tradeoffs the community must make as it weighs economic opportunity, environmental impact, and worldwide hunger for lithium.

All six episodes will be released on January 24th, 2024.

Next Episode

Lithium Valley | Episode 5: From the Twitch of Colorado River's Tail to Kwaaymi Point

We explore concepts of land use and value systems that play out in the Imperial Valley as it is increasingly industrialized and how traditions and cultures are at play as members of the community make decisions about their futures.

We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are available here.

If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

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Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.