The lithium conundrum

The Salinas Grandes in northern Argentina is home to large deposits of lithium, a key mineral in the fight against climate change. But Indigenous leaders in the region say mining the mineral could harm their water supply. We hear how communities are pushing back against potential lithium extraction. And, how new methods of mining are being tested - ways of extracting lithium that aren't so damaging to the local environment.

In the thick of the deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River, questions emerged about what could have been done differently. Republican politicians are pushing back vigorously, calling accountability questions “partisan games.” But one climate expert in the state says Texas needs to ask the tough questions right now before the next natural disaster hits – questions about the political power of fossil fuel industries and what that means for how politicians talk about, and prepare for climate change.

From the Best of What On Earth – Will your carbon footprint follow you to your grave? Not if you have a green burial. Environmentally friendly funeral options are growing in popularity. In our Atlantic Journalism Award-winning documentary, we hear why some Canadians are choosing eco-conscious interments, and how you can arrange to be laid to rest naturally.

To mark the show’s anniversary, we ask what Canada has learned about tackling climate change since our debut in 2020, starting with lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic. And, we discuss what climate action could look like over the next five years.

From the Best of What On Earth — Glaciers are rapidly retreating in Canada’s Rockies and that’s making it more hazardous to navigate some alpine routes. In this documentary, we visit Banff National Park to meet guides who are adapting to the different ways climate change is altering a once familiar landscape. Plus, what you need to know about how older people can stay safe in extreme heat.

If Canada wants to be net zero by 2050, more than a million small businesses will have to make the green transition. And while some intrepid business owners are already trying their best to navigate a more eco-friendly path, others say it’s a big ask, especially when many are already struggling to balance the needs of price-wary shoppers with a thin bottom line. We’ll dive into their journey, and learn more about the supports that could change the game.

A year and a half ago, Adrienne Crowder caught an episode we did about a free university course on climate change. She took it, she loved it, and she wanted more. So, she started a network amongst her classmates: ordinary Canadians who support each other to make change in their lives. We hear from many of them, as we kick off special coverage to mark five years of What On Earth.

Ottawa's moves to fast-track resource projects with Bill C-5 are resurfacing concerns about Indigenous consultation. But what does it actually look like when Indigenous people push back against resource projects and take control of climate stewardship on their land? To find out, we head to the heart of Tsleil-Waututh traditional territory near Vancouver. The work they’ve done to restore local ecosystems is not only good for the climate, it's also a way to assert their rights. Then, we'll hear from an Anishinaabe expert who says this is just one example of how taking land back can be climate action.

Don’t have a garden? Adopt a roundabout and plant things for the bees! We meet a TikToker who’s done just that. And then we travel from coast to coast to hear about a push to let sections of city parks grow a little wild. We head to one of these meadows to hear how they attract pollinators, and hear why creating “pollinator pockets” for busy bees and “hairy” moths can be a climate solution across the country – and a patriotic one at that.

This year’s fire season is on track to be one of the worst on record. It’s displacing thousands, including many First Nation communities. We hear from those forced to flee far from home, about the fear they face. We explore the political push to make sure Indigenous communities can take the lead when fires break out. Then, we check in on an Indigenous-led emergency management company that puts this idea into action by supporting evacuees in Toronto.