- Publisher: Greystone
- Year: 2023
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 300pp
- Illustrated: No
- Dimensions: 235x157mm
- Condition: New
- Weight: 0.5kg
- ISBN: 9781771649124
- Product code: 538832
Pitfall
The Race to Mine the World’s Most Vulnerable Places
Christopher Pollon New Hardback
Postscript summary
With the demand for metals playing a critical role in the transition to clean energy, Christopher Pollon explores how mining across the world has impacted the environment since the 1960s, arguing that the process will become ever more risky and raising questions about how we can rethink the way we manage resources and consumption.
Product information
Full publisher description
A harrowing journey through the past, present, and future of mining, this expertly-researched account ends on a vision for how industry can better serve the needs of humanity.
A race is on to exploit the last bonanzas of gold, silver, and industrial metals left on Earth. These metals are not only essential for all material comfort and need, but for the transition to clean energy: in the coming decades, billions of tons of copper, nickel, silver, and other metals will be required to build electric vehicles, solar and wind installations, and green infrastructure. We need more metals than ever before, yet the qualities and quantities are diminishing, making the extraction process more polluting to land, air and water. And most of these metals will be mined from the global south, where social conflict will only grow, led by Indigenous peoples demanding a greater say in how their wealth is used.
The stakes couldn't be higher: How can we mine the metals we need without replicating the environmental and human rights abuses of the past?
Pitfall is the compelling story of the quest to exploit the metals our civilization needs-and at what cost to local people and their environments. Beginning with the first waves of big, foreign-owned mines in the 1960s, investigative journalist Christopher Pollon shows how transnational companies rose to dominate copper, precious metals, and lithium in Latin America, made inroads into war-torn countries in Africa, and exploited nickel, industrial metals, and rare earth metals across Asia and Oceania.
If we cannot change our course, Pollon argues, we are condemned to mine deeper and darker places, including the depths of the ocean, sacrifice zones, and near-earth asteroids. This disturbing vision of the future also includes robotic mines without workers and social license-unless we act now.
Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.
A race is on to exploit the last bonanzas of gold, silver, and industrial metals left on Earth. These metals are not only essential for all material comfort and need, but for the transition to clean energy: in the coming decades, billions of tons of copper, nickel, silver, and other metals will be required to build electric vehicles, solar and wind installations, and green infrastructure. We need more metals than ever before, yet the qualities and quantities are diminishing, making the extraction process more polluting to land, air and water. And most of these metals will be mined from the global south, where social conflict will only grow, led by Indigenous peoples demanding a greater say in how their wealth is used.
The stakes couldn't be higher: How can we mine the metals we need without replicating the environmental and human rights abuses of the past?
Pitfall is the compelling story of the quest to exploit the metals our civilization needs-and at what cost to local people and their environments. Beginning with the first waves of big, foreign-owned mines in the 1960s, investigative journalist Christopher Pollon shows how transnational companies rose to dominate copper, precious metals, and lithium in Latin America, made inroads into war-torn countries in Africa, and exploited nickel, industrial metals, and rare earth metals across Asia and Oceania.
If we cannot change our course, Pollon argues, we are condemned to mine deeper and darker places, including the depths of the ocean, sacrifice zones, and near-earth asteroids. This disturbing vision of the future also includes robotic mines without workers and social license-unless we act now.
Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.
Reasons to shop at Postscript
Independent bookseller
Established in 1987, we’ve been sharing reading recommendations for decades.
Books you won’t find elsewhere
Discover new authors among our frequently changing bookshelves, along with almost-forgotten gems and a wealth of unusual titles you won’t find elsewhere.
Eco-friendly packaging
Orders are carefully packed in recyclable cardboard boxes, eco-friendly bubble wrap and solvent-free labels, paper and tape.
Condition and price
All our books are new, unused and unread, and they’re all up to 75% off RRP.
FREE monthly catalogue
Featuring over 400 handpicked titles, our unique catalogue is carefully curated and includes new and unusual titles, special features and exclusive collections.
Email newsletters
Our tailored newsletters are written by our booksellers, and we always highlight the books that we have talked about most in the Postscript office.
Footnotes blog
Some books spark ideas and conversations that our catalogue can’t contain – our Footnotes blog offers a deeper dive into a wealth of topics to inspire further reading.
Aftercare
We are all serious book people and we understand the value of reading. This is why we package our books so carefully and employ a helpful in-house customer services team to promptly resolve any queries you may have.
Delivery information
UK
Free UK standard delivery on all online orders over £25
Unlimited books in one delivery charge:
- • Standard: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Click & Collect: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Next Day (orders must be placed before 1pm, Monday–Friday): £4.50
- • Royal Mail Tracked48: £5.50 (2-4 working days)
Highlands and Islands delivery: standard delivery only (5-7 working days)
Overseas
All orders: delivery costs for orders outside the UK are based on country of destination and product weight.
You can view your overseas delivery cost using the Summary section within the Basket.
For more information on delivery/overseas orders please refer to our Delivery Information.
product
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/pitfall
538832
Pitfall
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_media-0_3.jpg
8.99
8.99
GBP
InStock
/Non-Fiction/Categories/Science & Nature/Earth Science
/Non-Fiction/Categories/Science & Nature/Earth Science/Ecology
/Non-Fiction/Categories/Science & Nature
With the demand for metals playing a critical role in the transition to clean energy, Christopher Pollon explores how mining across the world has impacted the environment since the 1960s, arguing that the process will become ever more risky and raising questions about how we can rethink the way we manage resources and consumption.
Hardback
0
0
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_media-1_3.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_0113.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_0114.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_0115.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/538832_media-2.jpg
add-to-cart
rrp_info:£21.99
productId:159504
bic_code:KNAT
KNAT
£21.99
Christopher Pollon
General
235x157mm
Greystone
Yes
Hardback
