Dynamic Nature of Lithium

How is lithium a resource?

1 CE

Lithium is an example of a resource because lithium is a mineral that benefits humans. It is used in many aspects of human activity such as in the production of ceramics, aluminum and glass as well as in creating batteries for electric cars.

Are all resources natural capital?

2

All resources are natural capital. Resources fall into two categories, Renewable and Nonrenewable. Renewable resources are those that can be replaced quickly for example, living species and ecosystems that use solar energy for photosynthesis as well as nonliving things like ground water and the ozone layer. Nonrenewable resources are those that are irreplaceable or take a long time to be replaced such as fossil fuels, minerals and soil.

Over time, has this resource been used sustainably? How has this changed over time? What factors have impacted this resource (cultural, social, economic, environmental, technological, and/or political)

3

In the past, Lithium has been mainly used for the production of ceramics, glass and aluminum. There has not been much of a demand for it so it has been used sustainably. In more recent years, the demand for Lithium has gone up tremendously. Lithium is used in creating batteries for electric cars and consumer technology. This demand has gone up due to the global warming crisis rising in which people are starting to drift away from using fossil fuels, and electric cars are becoming more popular.

What is sustainability?

4

Sustainability is the ability of a resource to be maintained at a certain level or rate.

Is lithium renewable or nonrenewable?

5

Lithium is nonrenewable. This is because it is a mineral/metal that naturally occurs in the Earth and can only be replaced over a geological timescale as it takes millions of years to form.

How has the extraction, transport, and processing of this resource changed it’s sustainability?

6

Over time the sustainability of lithium has dropped tremendously because of the increase in its extraction and production. Since 1992, the production of lithium has increased 500 %. Lithium is nonrenewable and humans are increasingly using it which is decreasing the sustainability. The mining of lithium is difficult due to the density of this metal which also lowers its sustainability.