Myths of the “Energy Transition” - Revision history

Ayo901 at 23:04, 7 October 2025

2025-10-07T23:04:54Z

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			''This article is a translation from the [https://fr.wiki.lehub.ca/index.php/Mythes_sur_la_%C2%AB_transition_%C3%A9nerg%C3%A9tique_%C2%BB original] written by the HUB's Francophone Librarian.''
	<p>People often speak of the “'''energy transition'''” as if it were a plan that could save humanity from the climate crisis. But what is it really? The so-called energy transition pushed for by the state is little more than a project to revitalize the mining industry. Ultimately, as we will explore throughout this text, this project is simply another chapter in the long history of extractivism, colonialism, capitalism, and ecocide.</p>		<p>People often speak of the “'''energy transition'''” as if it were a plan that could save humanity from the climate crisis. But what is it really? The so-called energy transition pushed for by the state is little more than a project to revitalize the mining industry. Ultimately, as we will explore throughout this text, this project is simply another chapter in the long history of extractivism, colonialism, capitalism, and ecocide.</p>
	<p>This article offers '''a wide lens on the mining industry''' in the 21st century, on a global scale. It will allow for an understanding of the direct connections between the mining industry and the greenwashing underway in the “energy transition”. We will examine the contradictions inherent in “transition minerals”, and we will explore the links between the mining operations that produce them and the colonial, capitalist system that’s driving the process.</p>		<p>This article offers '''a wide lens on the mining industry''' in the 21st century, on a global scale. It will allow for an understanding of the direct connections between the mining industry and the greenwashing underway in the “energy transition”. We will examine the contradictions inherent in “transition minerals”, and we will explore the links between the mining operations that produce them and the colonial, capitalist system that’s driving the process.</p>

Ayo901 at 16:25, 23 July 2025

2025-07-23T16:25:14Z

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	*Electrical Infrastructure		*Electrical Infrastructure
	<p>In short, when we take a closer look at the interests at play in the exploitation of “transition minerals”, we see that they are pushing the revival of all kinds of destructive industries that largely serve to enrich capitalist elites, such as electronics, weapons and aerospace. The so-called “energy transition“ will therefore be used to design everything but public transport…</p>		<p>In short, when we take a closer look at the interests at play in the exploitation of “transition minerals”, we see that they are pushing the revival of all kinds of destructive industries that largely serve to enrich capitalist elites, such as electronics, weapons and aerospace. The so-called “energy transition“ will therefore be used to design everything but public transport…</p>
	''The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis''		==The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis==
	<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>		<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>

Ayo901: /* There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized */

2025-07-17T16:17:49Z

There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized

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	=== How many minerals will it take for the “transition”? ===		=== How many minerals will it take for the “transition”? ===
	<p>The current mining rush is taking place in the context of mineral resource scarcity. The capitalist elites’ “energy transition” project therefore depends on an immense and growing need for resources, drawn from an ever-dwindling supply. Electrifying Britain’s car stock alone would take two years of the world’s current annual ~~copper~~ production, 75% of its lithium production, and half that of its copper production. <ref>''Ibid.'', pp.28-30</ref> The most exhaustive study to date, carried out by the Geological Institute of Finland, estimates that to decarbonize the planet’s entire energy production, it would be necessary to use 28 times the current annual world production of copper, 74 times that of nickel, more than 1,000 times that of lithium, and so on. <ref>''Ibid.'', p.33</ref> Given that industrial activity and capitalist production on the planet continues to grow, these numbers are likely to increase even further over the next few years.</p>		<p>The current mining rush is taking place in the context of mineral resource scarcity. The capitalist elites’ “energy transition” project therefore depends on an immense and growing need for resources, drawn from an ever-dwindling supply. Electrifying Britain’s car stock alone would take two years of the world’s current annual cobalt production, 75% of its lithium production, and half that of its copper production. <ref>''Ibid.'', pp.28-30</ref> The most exhaustive study to date, carried out by the Geological Institute of Finland, estimates that to decarbonize the planet’s entire energy production, it would be necessary to use 28 times the current annual world production of copper, 74 times that of nickel, more than 1,000 times that of lithium, and so on. <ref>''Ibid.'', p.33</ref> Given that industrial activity and capitalist production on the planet continues to grow, these numbers are likely to increase even further over the next few years.</p>

	=== States are worried about mineral capacity ===		=== States are worried about mineral capacity ===

Ayo901: /* Minerals critical to the weapons industry */

2025-07-15T20:51:45Z

Minerals critical to the weapons industry

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	::[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 153941.png\|300px\|frameless]]                [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 154016.png\|300px\|frameless]]             [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 155008.png\|300px\|frameless]]		::[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 153941.png\|300px\|frameless]]                [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 154016.png\|300px\|frameless]]             [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 155008.png\|300px\|frameless]]
	<p>Since the '''wars in Ukraine and Palestine''', western nations have hurried to relaunch their defence industries. The global graphite deposit, a “critical” mineral for both the energy transition and the military industry, is mostly found in China. They are by far the greatest producer of graphite in the world. <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/concurrence-mondiale-graphite Concurrence mondiale graphite]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> Ukraine, for its part, is ranked fifth in this list, which partially explains the European Union’s readiness to defend it in the face of the Russian invasion. There are strong reasons to believe that the solidarity extended by western powers to Ukraine largely depends on securing access to graphite. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', pp. 190-91.</ref> There are numerous Canadian arms manufacturers whose weapons are sent to the Israeli army to carry out the genocide in Palestine. Héroux-Devtek is one such company, whose Longueil factory produces the landing gear used by the F-35 military planes deployed by Israel over Gaza. <ref>Léa Beaulieu-Kratchanov, "[https://pivot.quebec/2024/04/02/heroux-devtek-bloque-pour-sa-contribution-aux-avions-f-35-utilises-a-gaza Héroux-Devtek bloqué pour sa contribution aux avions F-35 utilisées à Gaza]," Pivot, April 2, 2024.</ref> </p>		<p>Since the '''wars in Ukraine and Palestine''', western nations have hurried to relaunch their defence industries. The global graphite deposit, a “critical” mineral for both the energy transition and the military industry, is mostly found in China. They are by far the greatest producer of graphite in the world. <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/concurrence-mondiale-graphite Concurrence mondiale graphite]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> Ukraine, for its part, is ranked fifth in this list, which partially explains the European Union’s readiness to defend it in the face of the Russian invasion. There are strong reasons to believe that the solidarity extended by western powers to Ukraine largely depends on securing access to graphite. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', pp. 190-91.</ref> There are numerous Canadian arms manufacturers whose weapons are sent to the Israeli army to carry out the genocide in Palestine. Héroux-Devtek is one such company, whose Longueil factory produces the landing gear used by the F-35 military planes deployed by Israel over Gaza. <ref>Léa Beaulieu-Kratchanov, "[https://pivot.quebec/2024/04/02/heroux-devtek-bloque-pour-sa-contribution-aux-avions-f-35-utilises-a-gaza Héroux-Devtek bloqué pour sa contribution aux avions F-35 utilisées à Gaza]," Pivot, April 2, 2024.</ref> </p>
	In so-called Québec, the ''La Loutre mine'' provides a clear example of an instance where military interest in a mining project is on full display. This project, whose mining titles date back to 1988, is now being run by Lomiko Metals Inc., a Canadian mining company based in so-called British Columbia <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/historique-du-projet-lomiko/ Historique du Projet Lomiko]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> . In May 2024, Lomiko received 11 million dollars from the United States Department of Defense to finance their future mine in Haute-Gatineau in the Outaouais region. <ref>Julien Arsenault, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2024-09-26/filiere-quebecoise-des-batteries/la-defense-americaine-sort-encore-le-chequier.php?f Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, September 26, 2024</ref> The Pentagon has indicated that the graphite produced by Lomiko will be used to electrify transport infrastructure in North America and for “defence applications”. <ref> Joe Bongiorno, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2024-07-13/mine-de-graphite/des-villes-de-l-outaouais-s-unissent-pour-faire-des-consultations-sur-un-projet.php?sharing=true Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, July 13, 2024.</ref> The people of the region have been organizing for years against this project, which visibly serves to fuel the arms race and the U.S. military. <ref>"[https://miningwatch.ca/news/2024/6/3/energy-transition-or-more-militarism-us-defence-subsidies-graphite-mine-near-montreal Energy transition or more militarism? US defence subsidies for a graphite mine near Montreal provokes anger in civil society]," Mining Watch Canada.</ref> '''Who uses these minerals?'''		In so-called Québec, the ''La Loutre mine'' provides a clear example of an instance where military interest in a mining project is on full display. This project, whose mining titles date back to 1988, is now being run by Lomiko Metals Inc., a Canadian mining company based in so-called British Columbia. <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/historique-du-projet-lomiko/ Historique du Projet Lomiko]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> In May 2024, Lomiko received 11 million dollars from the United States Department of Defense to finance their future mine in Haute-Gatineau in the Outaouais region. <ref>Julien Arsenault, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2024-09-26/filiere-quebecoise-des-batteries/la-defense-americaine-sort-encore-le-chequier.php?f Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, September 26, 2024</ref> The Pentagon has indicated that the graphite produced by Lomiko will be used to electrify transport infrastructure in North America and for “defence applications”. <ref> Joe Bongiorno, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2024-07-13/mine-de-graphite/des-villes-de-l-outaouais-s-unissent-pour-faire-des-consultations-sur-un-projet.php?sharing=true Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, July 13, 2024.</ref> The people of the region have been organizing for years against this project, which visibly serves to fuel the arms race and the U.S. military. <ref>"[https://miningwatch.ca/news/2024/6/3/energy-transition-or-more-militarism-us-defence-subsidies-graphite-mine-near-montreal Energy transition or more militarism? US defence subsidies for a graphite mine near Montreal provokes anger in civil society]," Mining Watch Canada.</ref> '''Who uses these minerals?'''
	Here is a list of currently growing industries that require these minerals:		Here is a list of currently growing industries that require these minerals:
	*Electronics		*Electronics

Ayo901: /* There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized */

2025-07-15T20:19:38Z

There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized

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	== There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized ==		== There are enough minerals for our current economies to be decarbonized ==
	<p><span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);">''There are not enough minerals available or accessible to decarbonize every country if their economies are maintained at their current scale. In this context, rich countries are competing to decarbonize their economies at the expense of the rest of the world''</span>.</p>		<p><span style="background-color: rgb(209, 241, 238);">''There are not enough minerals available or accessible to decarbonize every country if their economies are maintained at their current scale. In this context, rich countries are competing to decarbonize their economies at the expense of the rest of the world''</span>.</p>
			[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 161456.png\|300px\|thumb\|Metal in 2022 Global Reserves. Taken from an online talk by Professor Simon Michaux, available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBVmnKuBocc&t=2614s]]
	=== Mineral deposits are increasingly less concentrated ===		=== Mineral deposits are increasingly less concentrated ===
	<p>Mineral resources were already in short supply. Until the 19th century, you could find “native” gold or “native” silver, i.e., pure extract. Today, mineral dust is mined in rocks 300 to 3,000 metres below the surface, because metal deposits are increasingly less concentrated: this means that more rocks need to be extracted to obtain the same quantity of metal. <ref>''Ibid.'', p.41.</ref> Extracting additional rock necessarily means more toxic waste and more contaminated water. We also have to dig further, both underground and above ground, to obtain rock with a high enough concentration of minerals. In short, mining is becoming ever more technically complex and ever more polluting.</p>		<p>Mineral resources were already in short supply. Until the 19th century, you could find “native” gold or “native” silver, i.e., pure extract. Today, mineral dust is mined in rocks 300 to 3,000 metres below the surface, because metal deposits are increasingly less concentrated: this means that more rocks need to be extracted to obtain the same quantity of metal. <ref>''Ibid.'', p.41.</ref> Extracting additional rock necessarily means more toxic waste and more contaminated water. We also have to dig further, both underground and above ground, to obtain rock with a high enough concentration of minerals. In short, mining is becoming ever more technically complex and ever more polluting.</p>

Ayo901: /* Minerals critical to the weapons industry */

2025-07-15T19:52:07Z

Minerals critical to the weapons industry

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	In addition to being used to manufacture electronics, “transition minerals” are particularly useful for the weapons industry. It takes an astronomical quantity of minerals to manufacture aircraft and military equipment. Since the First World War and the Cold War, states have embarked on arms races that consume immense amounts of minerals. In addition, military crafts are getting ever larger and require more and more minerals:		In addition to being used to manufacture electronics, “transition minerals” are particularly useful for the weapons industry. It takes an astronomical quantity of minerals to manufacture aircraft and military equipment. Since the First World War and the Cold War, states have embarked on arms races that consume immense amounts of minerals. In addition, military crafts are getting ever larger and require more and more minerals:
	::''“To get an idea of the increase in demand for minerals linked to armaments, it is enough to compare the size of tanks: the Renault tank of the First World War had a mass of 6.7 tonnes; the U.S. Army’s M1 Abrams, in use since 1978, weighs 63 tonnes, over ten times more. An MRAP (armoured vehicle resistant to explosive devices) contains between three and four tonnes of steel mixed with nickel, manganese, chromium or molybdenum. In 2007 alone, during the offensive in Iraq, the United States produced one thousand of them.”'' <ref>''Ibid.'', p.188.</ref>		::''“To get an idea of the increase in demand for minerals linked to armaments, it is enough to compare the size of tanks: the Renault tank of the First World War had a mass of 6.7 tonnes; the U.S. Army’s M1 Abrams, in use since 1978, weighs 63 tonnes, over ten times more. An MRAP (armoured vehicle resistant to explosive devices) contains between three and four tonnes of steel mixed with nickel, manganese, chromium or molybdenum. In 2007 alone, during the offensive in Iraq, the United States produced one thousand of them.”'' <ref>''Ibid.'', p.188.</ref>
			::[[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 153941.png\|300px\|frameless]]                [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 154016.png\|300px\|frameless]]             [[File:Screenshot 2025-07-15 155008.png\|300px\|frameless]]
	<p>Since the '''wars in Ukraine and Palestine''', western nations have hurried to relaunch their defence industries. The global graphite deposit, a “critical” mineral for both the energy transition and the military industry, is mostly found in China. They are by far the greatest producer of graphite in the world. <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/concurrence-mondiale-graphite Concurrence mondiale graphite]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> Ukraine, for its part, is ranked fifth in this list, which partially explains the European Union’s readiness to defend it in the face of the Russian invasion. There are strong reasons to believe that the solidarity extended by western powers to Ukraine largely depends on securing access to graphite. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', pp. 190-91.</ref> There are numerous Canadian arms manufacturers whose weapons are sent to the Israeli army to carry out the genocide in Palestine. Héroux-Devtek is one such company, whose Longueil factory produces the landing gear used by the F-35 military planes deployed by Israel over Gaza. <ref>Léa Beaulieu-Kratchanov, "[https://pivot.quebec/2024/04/02/heroux-devtek-bloque-pour-sa-contribution-aux-avions-f-35-utilises-a-gaza Héroux-Devtek bloqué pour sa contribution aux avions F-35 utilisées à Gaza]," Pivot, April 2, 2024.</ref> </p>		<p>Since the '''wars in Ukraine and Palestine''', western nations have hurried to relaunch their defence industries. The global graphite deposit, a “critical” mineral for both the energy transition and the military industry, is mostly found in China. They are by far the greatest producer of graphite in the world. <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/concurrence-mondiale-graphite Concurrence mondiale graphite]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> Ukraine, for its part, is ranked fifth in this list, which partially explains the European Union’s readiness to defend it in the face of the Russian invasion. There are strong reasons to believe that the solidarity extended by western powers to Ukraine largely depends on securing access to graphite. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', pp. 190-91.</ref> There are numerous Canadian arms manufacturers whose weapons are sent to the Israeli army to carry out the genocide in Palestine. Héroux-Devtek is one such company, whose Longueil factory produces the landing gear used by the F-35 military planes deployed by Israel over Gaza. <ref>Léa Beaulieu-Kratchanov, "[https://pivot.quebec/2024/04/02/heroux-devtek-bloque-pour-sa-contribution-aux-avions-f-35-utilises-a-gaza Héroux-Devtek bloqué pour sa contribution aux avions F-35 utilisées à Gaza]," Pivot, April 2, 2024.</ref> </p>
	In so-called Québec, the ''La Loutre mine'' provides a clear example of an instance where military interest in a mining project is on full display. This project, whose mining titles date back to 1988, is now being run by Lomiko Metals Inc., a Canadian mining company based in so-called British Columbia <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/historique-du-projet-lomiko/ Historique du Projet Lomiko]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> . In May 2024, Lomiko received 11 million dollars from the United States Department of Defense to finance their future mine in Haute-Gatineau in the Outaouais region. <ref>Julien Arsenault, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2024-09-26/filiere-quebecoise-des-batteries/la-defense-americaine-sort-encore-le-chequier.php?f Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, September 26, 2024</ref> The Pentagon has indicated that the graphite produced by Lomiko will be used to electrify transport infrastructure in North America and for “defence applications”. <ref> Joe Bongiorno, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2024-07-13/mine-de-graphite/des-villes-de-l-outaouais-s-unissent-pour-faire-des-consultations-sur-un-projet.php?sharing=true Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, July 13, 2024.</ref> The people of the region have been organizing for years against this project, which visibly serves to fuel the arms race and the U.S. military. <ref>"[https://miningwatch.ca/news/2024/6/3/energy-transition-or-more-militarism-us-defence-subsidies-graphite-mine-near-montreal Energy transition or more militarism? US defence subsidies for a graphite mine near Montreal provokes anger in civil society]," Mining Watch Canada.</ref> '''Who uses these minerals?'''		In so-called Québec, the ''La Loutre mine'' provides a clear example of an instance where military interest in a mining project is on full display. This project, whose mining titles date back to 1988, is now being run by Lomiko Metals Inc., a Canadian mining company based in so-called British Columbia <ref>"[https://protectionpetitenation.com/historique-du-projet-lomiko/ Historique du Projet Lomiko]," Regroupement de Protection des Lacs de la Petite Nation.</ref> . In May 2024, Lomiko received 11 million dollars from the United States Department of Defense to finance their future mine in Haute-Gatineau in the Outaouais region. <ref>Julien Arsenault, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/entreprises/2024-09-26/filiere-quebecoise-des-batteries/la-defense-americaine-sort-encore-le-chequier.php?f Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, September 26, 2024</ref> The Pentagon has indicated that the graphite produced by Lomiko will be used to electrify transport infrastructure in North America and for “defence applications”. <ref> Joe Bongiorno, [https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2024-07-13/mine-de-graphite/des-villes-de-l-outaouais-s-unissent-pour-faire-des-consultations-sur-un-projet.php?sharing=true Filière québécoise des batteries: La Défense américaine sort encore le chéquier]," La Presse, July 13, 2024.</ref> The people of the region have been organizing for years against this project, which visibly serves to fuel the arms race and the U.S. military. <ref>"[https://miningwatch.ca/news/2024/6/3/energy-transition-or-more-militarism-us-defence-subsidies-graphite-mine-near-montreal Energy transition or more militarism? US defence subsidies for a graphite mine near Montreal provokes anger in civil society]," Mining Watch Canada.</ref> '''Who uses these minerals?'''
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	''The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis''		''The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis''
	<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>		<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>

	===A profitable opportunity===		===A profitable opportunity===
	<p>The mining companies will say it themselves - the “energy transition” is a golden opportunity to make more profits:</p>		<p>The mining companies will say it themselves - the “energy transition” is a golden opportunity to make more profits:</p>

Ayo901 at 18:30, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T18:30:00Z

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 <p>However, mines will never be ecological, as we can read in the article Myths about “Environmentally responsible mining”.</p>
 <p>In short, you don’t have to dig far to find the motivations behind this greenwashing enterprise: the companies themselves admit that it is a pretext to increase mining. Moreover, this increase in mineral production will be used to '''revitalize destructive industries, such as the automotive and tech industries'''. Here are just two examples of capitalist industries that will be favoured by the propaganda of the “energy transition”.</p>
 === The role of the political classes ===

Ayo901 at 16:09, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:09:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 15 July 2025
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	''The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis''		''The energy transition is a concrete solution to the climate crisis''
	<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>		<p>The energy transition as planned by the politico-economic elites is a project that is fundamentally capitalist, colonialist, and destructive to life. As we will see, '''''it is not enough to propose technocratic solutions: we must also fight against the system in place and begin the process of mineral and energy degrowth'''''.</p>
	~~'''~~A profitable opportunity~~'''~~		===A profitable opportunity===
	<p>The mining companies will say it themselves - the “energy transition” is a golden opportunity to make more profits:</p>		<p>The mining companies will say it themselves - the “energy transition” is a golden opportunity to make more profits:</p>
	::''“The global transition to a low-carbon future represents a significant growth opportunity for the Canadian mining industry. Minerals and metals are the cornerstones of low-emission technologies. According to a World Bank report published in 2017, the increased use of such technologies in the wind, solar, and energy storage sectors will increase the demand for many minerals and metals.”'' <ref>Brendan Marshall, ''[https://mining.ca/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2021/09/Facts-and-Figures-French-Web.pdf Faits et chiffres de l'industrie minière canadienne: 2018]'', L'association minière du Canada, p. 19.</ref>		::''“The global transition to a low-carbon future represents a significant growth opportunity for the Canadian mining industry. Minerals and metals are the cornerstones of low-emission technologies. According to a World Bank report published in 2017, the increased use of such technologies in the wind, solar, and energy storage sectors will increase the demand for many minerals and metals.”'' <ref>Brendan Marshall, ''[https://mining.ca/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2021/09/Facts-and-Figures-French-Web.pdf Faits et chiffres de l'industrie minière canadienne: 2018]'', L'association minière du Canada, p. 19.</ref>
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	<p>The energy transition is, of course, being carried out on behalf of capitalist businesses, but how do the political classes factor into this?</p>		<p>The energy transition is, of course, being carried out on behalf of capitalist businesses, but how do the political classes factor into this?</p>

	=== Their technocratic allies ===		==== Their technocratic allies ====
	<p>Contrary to what they may claim, politicians are not ecological watchdogs: they do not monitor or regulate the economy in a way that protects the environment or counters the climate crisis. Rather, these political elites rely on technocrats to promote technological solutions that would allow us to maintain capitalist growth in a supposedly “sustainable” and “ecological” way. However, as we can see in the myth “New technologies make mines more environmentally responsible”, '''technocratic pseudo-"solutions” make it possible to optimize industrial processes''' in order to produce (and pollute) even more. What’s more, the gadgets invented by these technocrats themselves require significant amounts of resources, which entail the extraction of even more raw materials. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', p. 84-5.</ref> </p>		<p>Contrary to what they may claim, politicians are not ecological watchdogs: they do not monitor or regulate the economy in a way that protects the environment or counters the climate crisis. Rather, these political elites rely on technocrats to promote technological solutions that would allow us to maintain capitalist growth in a supposedly “sustainable” and “ecological” way. However, as we can see in the myth “New technologies make mines more environmentally responsible”, '''technocratic pseudo-"solutions” make it possible to optimize industrial processes''' in order to produce (and pollute) even more. What’s more, the gadgets invented by these technocrats themselves require significant amounts of resources, which entail the extraction of even more raw materials. <ref>Izoard, ''La ruée minière'', p. 84-5.</ref> </p>

	=== The rebound effect ===		==== The rebound effect ====
	<p>New technologies that are supposedly “environmentally responsible” often cause a “rebound effect”. As explained in the book “For a 99% Ecology: 20 Myths to Debunk About Capitalism”, this phenomenon occurs when greenwashing propaganda relieves people of the guilt of buying a particular good, leading them to consume more of that good or of a similar one. At the societal level, this results in '''an overall increase in the production and consumption of these goods'''. <ref>Frédéric Legault, Arnaud Theurillat-Cloutier et Alain Savard, 2021, ''Pour une écologie du 99% : 20 mythes à déboulonner sur le capitalisme'', Éditions Écosociété, pp. 104-105.</ref> </p>		<p>New technologies that are supposedly “environmentally responsible” often cause a “rebound effect”. As explained in the book “For a 99% Ecology: 20 Myths to Debunk About Capitalism”, this phenomenon occurs when greenwashing propaganda relieves people of the guilt of buying a particular good, leading them to consume more of that good or of a similar one. At the societal level, this results in '''an overall increase in the production and consumption of these goods'''. <ref>Frédéric Legault, Arnaud Theurillat-Cloutier et Alain Savard, 2021, ''Pour une écologie du 99% : 20 mythes à déboulonner sur le capitalisme'', Éditions Écosociété, pp. 104-105.</ref> </p>

Ayo901 at 16:08, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:08:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 15 July 2025
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	*The “energy transition” relies on technical alternatives, while ignoring the root problem of the climate crisis: the capitalist and colonial system.		*The “energy transition” relies on technical alternatives, while ignoring the root problem of the climate crisis: the capitalist and colonial system.
	<p><br></p>		<p><br></p>
	<p style="text-align: center;">''If you would like to submit a correction or additional resources, please ~~note the article and share them with us at~~ ayolehub@proton.me.''</p>		<p style="text-align: center;">''If you would like to submit a correction or additional resources, please write to ayolehub@proton.me.''</p>

Ayo901 at 16:08, 15 July 2025

2025-07-15T16:08:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 15 July 2025
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	*The “transition mines” produce metals for destructive industries, such as technology, aerospace and weapons manufacture.		*The “transition mines” produce metals for destructive industries, such as technology, aerospace and weapons manufacture.
	*The “energy transition” relies on technical alternatives, while ignoring the root problem of the climate crisis: the capitalist and colonial system.		*The “energy transition” relies on technical alternatives, while ignoring the root problem of the climate crisis: the capitalist and colonial system.
	<p>~~''''~~</p>		<p><br></p>
	<p style="text-align: center;" >''If you would like to submit a correction or additional resources, please note the article and share them with us at ayolehub@proton.me.''</p>		<p style="text-align: center;">''If you would like to submit a correction or additional resources, please note the article and share them with us at ayolehub@proton.me.''</p>