Electric Futures

Feb 27 2024 5

Electric Futures Podcast artwork

Featured by the LA Times, La Opinión, and NPR! Electric Futures is a new podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. In Season 1, former USC Provost and current professor Charles Zukoski explores the tradeoffs California's Imperial Valley faces as the lithium extraction industry comes to town, weighing economic opportunity, environmental impact, and a worldwide hunger for lithium. More episodes coming soon.

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Valle de Litio | Episodio 7: Una Época de Cambio

Feb 27 2024 29 mins

Este episodio fue hecho especialmente en Español para explicar en resumen la investigacíon hecha por el ex-rector y profesor de ingeniería química y ciencias materiales, Charles Zukoski. En esta temporada hemos explorado el potencial de la industria de litio para la transición energética en el Valle Imperial, California. ¡Queremos escuchar de tí! ⁠Por favor responda esta

A Message from our host, Charles Zukoski

Host Chares Zukoski wants to thank you for listening to the show and let you know about an exciting paid survey opportunity. We want to hear from you! Please take this short survey⁠. Thanks again for listening. We hope you enjoyed Season 1. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/electricfutures/message

Lithium Valley | Episode 1: The White Gold Rush

Jan 24 2024 32 mins

We’ll get to know Imperial Valley, an area that is home to nearly 180,000 people located in Southeastern California, 200 miles from USC. This community is located at the heart of the Lithium boom. Some have referred to this as a white gold rush because of the enormous demand for lithium as a major component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and so much else in our eve

Lithium Valley | Episode 2: The Tech Behind the Scenes

Jan 24 2024 32 mins

There’s a big demand for the batteries but it’s a challenge in how to gain access to all the lithium needed for the electric vehicles that are flooding the streets of the world. There's a new way to access the lithium in the brines — but don’t call it mining. In this episode we will explore this chemistry and more… We want to hear from our listeners! Please take this

Lithium Valley | Episode 3: Transforming a Small Town Economy

Jan 24 2024 34 mins

We will look at how Lithium extraction is expected to boost the local economy and the trade-offs associated with the growth of this industry. The community is preparing - with cautious optimism. In the face of diminished flows in the Colorado River, memories are haunted by past hype. We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠. Episode transcripts in Eng

Lithium Valley | Episode 4: Whose Health? Consider the Consequences

Jan 24 2024 29 mins

We’ll look at how Lithium extraction in the Imperial Valley may potentially impact the environment and health issues in the area. What health and ecological changes can the community expect? What bargain does the community accept as they venture into this natural resource extraction industry? We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠. Episode transcr

Lithium Valley | Episode 5: From the Twitch of Colorado River's Tail to Kwaaymi Point

Jan 24 2024 43 mins

We explore concepts of land use and value systems that play out in the Imperial Valley as it is increasingly industrialized and how traditions and cultures are at play as members of the community make decisions about their futures. We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠. Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are available here. If you’d li

Lithium Valley | Episode 6: The Sum of It All

Jan 24 2024 53 mins

In our final episode of the season, we discuss how efforts to slow global climate change are impacting the Imperial Valley, bringing anxiety and opportunity to those who live there. We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠. Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠. If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in

Season 1 Trailer | Welcome to Lithium Valley

Nov 28 2023 1 mins

Electric Futures is a new podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. Season 1 invites listeners on a journey to California's Imperial Valley with former USC provost and Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and M