Quote:A conversation with Southcom commander General Laura J. Richardson on security across the Americas (January 19, 2023)

US Southern Command plays a critical role in bolstering Latin American and Caribbean security, building national and international ties to advance US leadership. With a rich history of partnership, the combatant command has also contributed extensively to regional humanitarian efforts and recently celebrated twenty-five years of its Human Rights Initiative. What new strategies can US Southern Command deploy to promote security and prosperity within the Latin American and Caribbean theater? This event will explore General Richardson’s priorities to strengthen partnerships and counter threats and challenges impacting regional security.

Quote:Lithium extraction fields in South America have been captured by an aerial photographer in stunning high definition.

But while the images may be breathtaking to look at, they represent the dark side of our swiftly electrifying world.

Lithium represents a route out of our reliance on fossil fuel production. As the lightest known metal on the planet, it is now widely used in electric devices from mobile phones and laptops, to cars and aircraft.

Lithium-ion batteries are most famous for powering electric vehicles, which are set to account for up to 60 per cent of new car sales by 2030. The battery of a Tesla Model S, for example, uses around 12 kg of lithium.

These batteries are the key to lightweight, rechargeable power. As it stands, demand for lithium is unprecedented and many say it is crucial in order to transition to renewables.

However, this doesn't come without a cost - mining the chemical element can be harmful to the environment.

German aerial photographer Tom Hegen specialises in documenting the traces we leave on the earth's surface. His work provides an overview of places where we extract, refine and consume resources with his latest series exposing the “Lithium Triangle.”

In pictures: South America's 'lithium fields' reveal the dark side of our electric future