Lithium is needed for the batteries of electric vehicles, laptops, and cell phones. It is largely used in the glass and ceramics industry.

It is essential in producing many renewable energy technologies, such as in the batteries that are often paired with solar power systems.

The physical mining of lithium and the production of lithium-ion are both incredibly labor intensive with a majority of it not being recycled. The impacts of the lithium industry on the environment are damaging and costly.

It is estimated that 500,000 gallons of water is used to mine one (1) metric ton of lithium. Lithium extraction also harms and contaminates the surrounding soil, air and drinking water, if done improperly.

It is important for the industry to mitigate these damaging potential environmental impacts from lithium production, to ensure that renewable energy and electric vehicles are truly environmentally beneficial alternatives to fossil fuel based technologies. 

pathways:

12.11.2020 / Institute for Energy Research / The Environmental Impact of Lithium Batteries

16.02.2022 / CleanTechnia / Alsym Energy Debuts Low Cost Water-Based Batteries

13.06.2020 / Science.Org / Seawater could provide nearly unlimited amounts of critical battery material