"Lithium Rising: The Race for Critical Minerals"
A Documentary Directed by Samuel George '07, Sponsored by the Bertelsmann Foundation
Free Screening, Followed by Q&A and Reception
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., film starts at 6:00 p.m. (running time 70 minutes)
From the moment the smartphone alarm wakes us up in the morning, we begin our day relying on the lithium battery. The toothbrush, the e-bike, the laptop, tablet, camera, hearing aid and smartwatch. The weed whacker. The pacemaker. From the mundane to the lifesaving, lithium-ion powered devices get us through the day.
The demand for lithium batteries has skyrocketed in just a few years. This trend is forecast to accelerate with the global transition to electric vehicles. Access to minerals such as lithium, cobalt and nickel has emerged as a vital geopolitical, economic and social concern. So where do these minerals come from? And who controls the supply chain?
From the lithium flats of South America, to the cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; from nickel smelters in Indonesia, to battery gigafactories in Northern France, to recycling plants in rural Georgia, this new Bertelsmann Foundation documentary brings the viewer up close and personal with the people and communities impacted by this global transition. It is a journey to the frontline of energy in the 21st century. And the race is on.
Samuel George invites Obies to join the screening, participate in the discussion, and enjoy complimentary refreshments while watching the film and during the reception that will follow the panel discussion.
Panelists for the discussion are:
- Andrew Keen (Moderator), Author, Podcast Host
- Giulia Siccardo, Former Director, U.S. Department of Energy, 2023-2025
- Jingjing Zhang, Environmental Lawyer, Center for Transnational Environmental Accountability (CTEA)
- Samuel George, Director, Bertelsmann Foundation Documentaries
About The Director:
Samuel George ’07 is the Bertelsmann Foundation’s Director of BFNA Documentaries. Sam recently earned his PhD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. At Oberlin, Samuel majored in History. He is an officer of the Oberlin Club of Washington, D.C.
