Europe's Lithium Paradox (2025)

Plot Summary: This eye-opening documentary explores Europe's struggle to harness its own lithium resources for clean energy. Although rich in lithium reserves, the continent relies heavily on imports. The film examines environmental concerns, community resistance, and growing calls for sustainable and socially responsible mining practices.

Director: Stijn van Baarle
Presenter: Peter Tom Jones
Production Company: Journeyman Pictures, Storyrunner, SIM² KU Leuven
Runtime: 56 minutes
Original Language: English

Featuring:
Peter Tom Jones (Self)

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

First Impressions from the Portuguese Trenches

Let me just say it straight: this documentary is a slap in the face. We’re being f*cked over. Our land, our hills, our Barroso, is getting auctioned off to some British company that plans to drill hole after miserable hole like it's a goddamn dartboard. And do they even consider going underground, like Rio Tinto does in Serbia? Of course not. They just want the quick route, no matter the cost to nature, to wildlife, to the soul of the place. It’s disgusting. A few will profit, while the rest of us watch our landscapes get torn to shreds for “the greater good”, which apparently means shareholder dividends.

The Green Lie and the Gold Rush 2.0

This documentary bends over backwards trying to make these mining execs look like eco-saints. “We’ve changed!” they say. “We’re part of the green solution!” Bullsht. This is the same greed in a new costume, the same old profit-chasing wrapped in recycled PR fluff. And let’s talk geopolitics: if this is really about saving the planet, why are we in an economic pssing contest with China? Let them help, ffs. You think they want Europe underwater? The more this doc talks, the more I smell the usual bull — elite power grabs masked as climate heroism. And that smug corporate guy pointing at the hills like he’s picking toppings for his pizza? Absolutely enraging. “Let’s put the giant crater right… there.” Jesus. The arrogance. The utter lack of soul.

What’s the Real Emergency Here?

If climate change is the beast they say it is, then yeah — it’s terrifying. I’ve read about that 1-degree temperature shift. It’s not nothing. But why the hell are we not being properly educated? All I see is ads for new SUVs, talent shows, and the next war highlight reel. How do you convince a distracted, overworked population that the end is nigh? You don’t. That’s why I’m cynical. That’s why I smell a setup. We need to stop chasing GDP like it’s a god. No more useless jobs and stupid sht we don’t need to keep the economy on life support. Free the people, invest in education and sustainable systems. Stop making fcking SUVs. Stop pretending this broken system can be patched up with lithium Band-Aids. Maybe I’m just a poor ignorant bastard yelling at clouds. But this documentary? It’s the smooth-talking salesman who swears the snake oil is for your own good. And I'm not buying.

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