Saving the Climate Without Wrecking the Planet
Mining for the energy transition
This year’s students in subject 12.000 Solving Complex Problems were tasked with the following problem:
The transition to a carbon-neutral economy depends on the availability of lithium and copper. Both elements are found in abundance in the western U.S. and northern Chile, but mining has substantial local impacts, including on Indigenous communities.Your task will be to determine how much can be produced sustainably from these regions every year, balancing global demand with environmental impact and equity.
The students will present their proposals in a final website and in a presentation on December 4, 2024, where they will present their findings and recommendations to a distinguished panel.