We are delighted to welcome Alexander Dunlap back to the EXALT podcast for a conversation about his latest work. Xander has been looking at rare earth element mining, lithium mining, and solar panel lifecycles in the United States. Right now, he is writing up the research on the disposal and decommissioning of solar panels, which is where our conversation kicks off. Xander found that even in highly regulated states it is more economically efficient to just landfill them rather than recycle them (even if they would be technically recyclable). Low carbon technologies are being used in a lot of insidious ways in industrial and capitalist societies. We need to really reflect on what renewability really means and we need to think hard as researchers before we blindly engage with public relations words (i.e. sustainability, renewability). 

Check out the Justice in Renewable Energy Supply Chains projects investigating the life cycle of solar panels on the ground, where you can find more information, articles and policy briefs:
https://www.bu.edu/igs/research/projects/justice-in-renewable-energy-supply-chains/ 

If you would like to check out Xander’s other episodes, here are the direct links:
How is this system killing us and what can we do? https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/xander-dunlap-how-is-this-system-killing-us-and-what-can-we-do/id1499621252?i=1000650809357 

Until You Become Ungovernable, Why Would Anyone Listen to You? https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/alexander-dunlap-until-you-become-ungovernable-why/id1499621252?i=1000587449856 

Is "green energy" really that green (and is it better called "fossil fuel plus")? https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/alexander-dunlap-is-green-energy-really-that-green/id1499621252?i=1000506999251  

Check out Xander’s upcoming talk (26 Aug. 2025, 14:00-16:00) at University of Copenhagen https://cape.ku.dk/eng/calendar/2025/exploring-the-life-of-solar-panels/  

Want to learn more about Xander’s work? Check out his research profiles here: 
https://www.bu.edu/igs/profile/alexander-dunlap/
https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/persons/alexander-dunlap
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Dunlap?ev=hdr_xprf

Alexander Dunlap - How do we recognize the political occupation facilitating extractivism?

In this episode hosts Sophia Hagolani-Albov and Christopher Chagnon introduce themselves, the Extractivisms and Alternatives (EXALT) Initiative, and where the podcast is going to go in upcoming episodes.

Introduction

Resource extraction impacts our daily lives and has helped push the climate to the brink, but there are people around the world living and fighting for alternative ways forward. Join hosts Christopher Chagnon and Sophia Hagolani-Albov and their guests on the last Friday of each month for a discussion of the impacts of extractivisms, alternative ways forward, and stories from people living the struggle every day. If you are someone who is interested in how our environment and societies have come to their current state, or learning about different ways we can move forward, this is the podcast for you.

Alexander Dunlap - How do we recognize the political occupation facilitating extractivism?

EXALT Podcast

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