Sustt: Lithium extraction, record-breaking temperatures, Kamala's climate advocacy, stronger typhoons, multi-purpose vaccine

🔎 In-depth insight

Mining

Lithium extraction technology slashes water use

✍️ Written by Claire Pickard : "Although DLE is not a new technology, IBAT’s breakthrough really caught my attention as it leaves the company poised to become the first to successfully commercialise the process. If IBAT’s innovation lives up to expectations, it could transform lithium production, significantly reducing the environmental impact of a sector that looks likely to undergo major expansion over the coming decades."

What’s happening? International Battery Metals (IBAT), the Houston-based lithium processing company, has launched its own version of a lithium filtration technology that it claims could result in cheaper and quicker supplies of the metal. The company is using the direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at a Utah site controlled by magnesium production firm, US Magnesium. IBAT aims to increase production of lithium, which is used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, to an annual rate of almost 5,000 tonnes within four weeks. IBAT’s DLE method also recycles over 98% of water used, which is significant as conventional lithium extraction is water intensive. (Reuters) 

Why does this matter? Analysts anticipate that the DLE sector will develop into an industry with $10bn in annual revenue within a decade. Growth is likely to be driven by increasing the speed and efficiency of lithium production for manufacturers of products including electric vehicles. IBAT has been competing with companies including Eramet, Rio Tinto, SLB and Standard Lithium to become the first to achieve commercial DLE production. According to Bloomberg, if DLE is successfully commercialised, the supply of lithium from DLE technology will be comparable to that from traditional evaporation techniques by the end of this decade. 

IBAT’s expansion plans coincide with a fall in lithium prices, which have declined by more than 80% over the past year. Despite this drop, which has been caused by destocking, reduced EV demand and increased supply, Bloomberg anticipates that demand for lithium is likely to triple to 3 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by 2030.  

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📊 Chart of the week 

Last Monday broke the record for the hottest day globally, surpassing the previous record set the previous day, according to Copernicus, the European climate change service. Preliminary satellite data shows that Monday was 0.06C hotter than Sunday, which had exceeded the previous record from July 2023 by 0.01C. Factors include unusually warm oceans and an Antarctic winter with temperatures up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit above average. Heat records have been set for 13 straight months while the global temperature over the past year has averaged more than 1.5C higher than pre-industrial levels. “There’s a good chance that when the data comes in for Tuesday, it will be three straight days of global record breaking heat" said Carlo Buontempo, the director of Copernicus, "this is human-caused climate change in action". (AP News)

See which parts of the globe have experienced heating by clicking here.

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📰 Bite-sized insights 

🔬 Green Harris – Kamala Harris, US Vice-President, has been praised by environmental advocates for her strong climate record, contrasting starkly with Donald Trump. Green groups such as Evergreen, Sierra Club, and NRDC Action Fund support her potential presidency, highlighting her role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which funds clean energy projects. Harris' climate advocacy began early in her career, and she has pursued environmental justice and substantial settlements against polluting corporations. As a senator, she co-sponsored the Green New Deal. Harris emphasised the global impact of climate inaction at Cop28, positioning herself as a climate champion for the 2024 election. (The Guardian) 

🌧️ Stronger typhoons – Climate change has caused significant shifts in global rainfall patterns, leading to more severe weather events, including stronger typhoons. Research indicates that about 75% of the world’s land area has experienced increased precipitation variability, resulting in more extreme wet and dry periods. The most powerful typhoon of the year, Gaemi, recently impacted Taiwan, the Philippines, and China, highlighting the growing intensity of such storms. (Reuters)

💉Multi-purpose vaccine – The newer shingles vaccine, Shingrix, may delay or prevent dementia more effectively than the older Zostavax. A study found that Shingrix reduces dementia risk by 17% over six years compared to Zostavax. Researchers analysed medical records of 100,532 people who received either vaccine, revealing that improved protection against the varicella-zoster virus could explain the reduced dementia risk. Experts suggest the overall immune boost from vaccines might also contribute to this protective effect. (New Scientist)