The Rare Metals War

the dark side of clean energy and digital technologies
Guillaume Pitron (trans. Bianca Jacobsohn)

‘[T]he journalist and filmmaker warns against the optimistic belief that technology is the solution … At a time when many claim to be “citizens of the world” or retreat into naive or hypocritical protectionism, Pitron’s book is an attempt to open people’s eyes to the consequences of their societal choices and lifestyles.’

Green European Journal

‘Both novel and eye opening … The Rare Metals War is worth the read.’

Art Flynn, Irish Examiner

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‘Recognising that the latest technologies might not be as green as we like to think is a good place to start planning for a better world.’

John Arlidge, The Sunday Times

A celebrated international bestseller that exposes the ticking time-bomb underneath our new technological order.

The resources race is on. Powering our digital lives and green technologies are some of the Earth’s most precious metals — but they are running out. And what will happen when they do? The green-tech revolution will reduce our reliance on nuclear power, coal, and oil, but by breaking free of fossil fuels, we are setting ourselves up for a new dependence — on rare metals like cobalt, gold, and palladium. These are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels, as well as our smartphones, computers, tablets, and other technologies. But we know very little about how rare metals are mined and traded, or their environmental, economic, and geopolitical costs — until now.

Green European Journal

‘Both novel and eye opening … The Rare Metals War is worth the read.’

Art Flynn, Irish Examiner

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 198mm × 129mm

Extent:320pp

ISBN (13):9781914484964

RRP:£9.99

Pub date:12 Jan 2023

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

2022 Business Book Award in the Smart Thinking category - Short-listed 2021 ABDA Best Designed Autobiography/Biography/Memoir/Non-Fiction Cover - Long-listed 2018 BFMTV’s Economic Book of the Year - Winner 2018 Cosnes City Book Fair Readers' Club Award - Winner 2018 HEC Student Prize - Winner 2018 ManpowerGroup/HEC Paris Literary Award - Winner 2018 Prix Turgot, Best Financial Economy - Winner 2018 The French Geographical Society Escourrou Award - Winner

CATEGORIES / tags

AUTHOR

Guillaume Pitron

Guillaume Pitron, born in 1980, is a French award-winning journalist and documentary-maker for France’s leading television channels. His work focuses on commodities and on the economic, political, and environmental issues associated with their use. The Rare Metals War, his first book, sold 80,000 copies in France and has been translated into ten languages. Guillaume Pitron holds a master’s degree in international law from the University of Georgetown (Washington, DC), and is a TEDx speaker. More information at www.en-guillaumepitron.com.

TRANSLATOR

Bianca Jacobsohn

Bianca Jacobsohn is a South African and French translator and conference interpreter who specialises in energy, finance, strategic metals, and diplomacy. More information at www.biancajacobsohn.com.