On the surface Lithium-ion Batteries seem to provide endless soulutions to our evergrowing need for energy. Powering our smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices that require a light weight, high energy density, and rechargeable power source.

Invironmental Concerns

Lithium mining has negative effects on the environment such as soil salinization, erosion, landscape destruction, water depletion, pollution, and carbon emissions. The process of extracting lithium from salt flats involves pumping large amounts of water from beneath the surface which can deplete local water resources and disrupt the delicate ecosystem. The mining process consumes large amounts of water and produces toxic wastewater that harms wildlife and aquifers. Lithium extraction from rock also involves chemicals that contaminate air and fish.

Social Impacts

Lithium extraction has negative social impacts such as harming soil and causing air contamination. Lithium operations have contaminated streams used by humans and livestock, and for crop irrigation. Lithium extraction exposes local ecosystems to poisoning and other related health problems. Lithium mining has negative social and economic impacts such as harming communities where mining takes place, jeopardizing their water supply. Large amounts of water pollution might create a severe imbalance in local ecosystems and adversely affect the environment. Inadequate water supply causes an acute water shortage in most arid and semi-arid mining areas, promoting the prevalence of waterborne diseases like dysentery and cholera

Growing Demand

Lithium-ion batteries are projected to increase 5-fold, from about $85 billion in 2022 to over $400 billion in 2030, with this growing demand for sustainable energy the logistics of transporting highly inflammable lithium-ion batteries is increasingly impacting shipping safety.