The transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles promises a more sustainable economy, but it comes with challenges. These include ensuring that the demand for resources like lithium, copper, cobalt, and aluminum doesn’t lead to environmental degradation or human rights violations. Additionally, there’s a need to support those whose livelihoods rely on fossil fuels in finding new opportunities. Silicon Valley has already been influential in driving this transition, particularly in developing electric vehicle technologies. It can further contribute to a just transition by innovating technologies for battery reuse and recycling, conflict-free batteries, and environmentally friendly mineral extraction processes like direct lithium extraction.
