Thea Riofrancos
@triofrancos.bsky.social
Political Scientist, Providence College
Strategic Co-Director, Climate and Community Institute
Author / Resource Radicals (Duke UP 2020)
Co-Author / A Planet to Win (Verso 2019)
Forthcoming / Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (WW Norton)
Strategic Co-Director, Climate and Community Institute
Author / Resource Radicals (Duke UP 2020)
Co-Author / A Planet to Win (Verso 2019)
Forthcoming / Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism (WW Norton)
Pinned
Why are minerals so central to geopolitics? How green are electric cars? Why is anti-mining protest increasing? Can the inequalities of the global economy be transformed?
I tackle these topics in my book EXTRACTION: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism
👀 September 2025 @wwnorton.bsky.social
I tackle these topics in my book EXTRACTION: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism
👀 September 2025 @wwnorton.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this discussion, lithium—all of which must be mined from the earth. This is
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this discussion, lithium—all of which must be mined from the earth. This is
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this discussion, lithium—all of which must be mined from the earth. This is a wide-ranging discussion stretching from Chile to Nevada, and from the dawn of colonialism to the geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and a lot more. In New York City? See Thea discuss Extraction with David Wallace-Wells. Friday, November 14 at McNally Jackson Seaport. Say hi to Dan if you attend! Tickets here: mcnallyjackson.com/event/thea-riofrancos-david-wallace-wells Support The Dig at Patreon.com/TheDig Buy Black History is for Everyone at Haymarketbooks.org Get your first month free at OVID.tv using promo code DIG25
thedig.blubrry.net
November 14, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this discussion, lithium—all of which must be mined from the earth. This is
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this discussion, lithium—all of which must be mined from the earth. This is
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Extractivisme : la guerre cachée de la transition écologique, une conversation avec Thea Riofrancos
Extractivisme : la guerre cachée de la transition écologique, une conversation avec Thea Riofrancos | Le Grand Continent
Dans le désert d’Atacama au nord du Chili, l’Artemia salina, un crustacé vivant dans les lacs salés, cohabite avec des organismes unicellulaires appelés « extrémophiles », formant un environnement riche et complexe. Diverses communautés autochtones vivent également sur ces terres. Les paysages que vous décrivez dans votre étude, sont loin du « désert » comme on l’entend souvent : il […]
legrandcontinent.eu
November 14, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Extractivisme : la guerre cachée de la transition écologique, une conversation avec Thea Riofrancos
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Just finished reading 👏🙌
Pleased to post this new Dig ep w/ my partner in all things @triofrancos.bsky.social on her beautiful book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. We go from Chile to Nevada, from dawn of colonialism to geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and more www.thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this disc...
www.thedigradio.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Just finished reading 👏🙌
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Make some time for this. It's critical to how you'll understand the next decade of energy politics, here in the U.S. and everywhere.
Pleased to post this new Dig ep w/ my partner in all things @triofrancos.bsky.social on her beautiful book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. We go from Chile to Nevada, from dawn of colonialism to geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and more www.thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this disc...
www.thedigradio.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Make some time for this. It's critical to how you'll understand the next decade of energy politics, here in the U.S. and everywhere.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
A must-listen!
Pleased to post this new Dig ep w/ my partner in all things @triofrancos.bsky.social on her beautiful book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. We go from Chile to Nevada, from dawn of colonialism to geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and more www.thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this disc...
www.thedigradio.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A must-listen!
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
'It's green colonialism'
Thousands of miles in Patagonia could be covered in wind farms & industrial infrastructure - as European and British firms invest in green fuel mega-projects
My report from Chile
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
@criordor.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social
Thousands of miles in Patagonia could be covered in wind farms & industrial infrastructure - as European and British firms invest in green fuel mega-projects
My report from Chile
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
@criordor.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social
‘Will it change the weather? Will wildlife cope?’: Europe’s rush to build energy projects in Chile might not be as green as it seems
The country’s government is upbeat about the economic prospects of the growing number of windfarms, solar parks and industrial complexes but others warn of ‘green colonialism’
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
'It's green colonialism'
Thousands of miles in Patagonia could be covered in wind farms & industrial infrastructure - as European and British firms invest in green fuel mega-projects
My report from Chile
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
@criordor.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social
Thousands of miles in Patagonia could be covered in wind farms & industrial infrastructure - as European and British firms invest in green fuel mega-projects
My report from Chile
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
@criordor.bsky.social @triofrancos.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
This looks like reality on the ground in Serbia catching up with Rio Tinto ...
minersdigest.com/news/rio-tin...
minersdigest.com/news/rio-tin...
Rio Tinto mothballs flagship Jadar lithium project | Miners Digest
Rio Tinto Group has indefinitely shelved its $2.95-billion Jadar lithium project in Serbia, placing the operation into "care and maintenance" mode,
minersdigest.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This looks like reality on the ground in Serbia catching up with Rio Tinto ...
minersdigest.com/news/rio-tin...
minersdigest.com/news/rio-tin...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Pleased to post this new Dig ep w/ my partner in all things @triofrancos.bsky.social on her beautiful book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. We go from Chile to Nevada, from dawn of colonialism to geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and more www.thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Extraction w/ Thea Riofrancos
Featuring Thea Riofrancos on Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. The green energy transition requires a vast array of inputs: copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, and the focus of this disc...
www.thedigradio.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Pleased to post this new Dig ep w/ my partner in all things @triofrancos.bsky.social on her beautiful book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism. We go from Chile to Nevada, from dawn of colonialism to geoeconomic conflict between the US and China—and more www.thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
This Q&A asks all the important and thoughtful questions about the future of batteries and and energy storage systems, local resistance, and what’s next.. #EnergySky #GreenSky #EnergyTransition 🔋🔌💡 #MossLandingFire
November 13, 2025 at 12:57 PM
This Q&A asks all the important and thoughtful questions about the future of batteries and and energy storage systems, local resistance, and what’s next.. #EnergySky #GreenSky #EnergyTransition 🔋🔌💡 #MossLandingFire
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
“It's a boon for shareholders. It's a boon for militarism. It's a clear negative for ecological & climate goals.” — @triofrancos.bsky.social
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
November 12, 2025 at 2:10 PM
“It's a boon for shareholders. It's a boon for militarism. It's a clear negative for ecological & climate goals.” — @triofrancos.bsky.social
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Listen back to the recording of our launch event via @macrodosepod.bsky.social!
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Some of my favorite leftist Latin American scholars were in a room talking about what leftist-governed cities in Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador have to teach a socialist in the belly of the beast - truly you do not want to miss this episode, so many actually practical and urgent lessons here
Season 7 launches 🔥 by reflecting on "What Zohran Can Learn from Latin America's Pink Tide" - with some insightful analyses on the challenges for the Zohran administration , and what leftist-governed cities in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil +Ecuador have to teach us open.spotify.com/episode/75Oo...
What Zohran can learn from Latin America's Pink Tide
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Some of my favorite leftist Latin American scholars were in a room talking about what leftist-governed cities in Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador have to teach a socialist in the belly of the beast - truly you do not want to miss this episode, so many actually practical and urgent lessons here
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Season 7 launches 🔥 by reflecting on "What Zohran Can Learn from Latin America's Pink Tide" - with some insightful analyses on the challenges for the Zohran administration , and what leftist-governed cities in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil +Ecuador have to teach us open.spotify.com/episode/75Oo...
What Zohran can learn from Latin America's Pink Tide
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Season 7 launches 🔥 by reflecting on "What Zohran Can Learn from Latin America's Pink Tide" - with some insightful analyses on the challenges for the Zohran administration , and what leftist-governed cities in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil +Ecuador have to teach us open.spotify.com/episode/75Oo...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
A true powerhouse lineup with Edwin Ackerman, Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Gabriel Hetland and @triofrancos.bsky.social, moderated by @llchristyll.bsky.social (an an excessively enthusiastic intro by yours truly @ipenaranda.bsky.social )
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A true powerhouse lineup with Edwin Ackerman, Gianpaolo Baiocchi, Gabriel Hetland and @triofrancos.bsky.social, moderated by @llchristyll.bsky.social (an an excessively enthusiastic intro by yours truly @ipenaranda.bsky.social )
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
My local library got a copy of Extraction from @triofrancos.bsky.social — it starts with a description of the Atacama desert and salt flats in Chile and how a colonial narrative of emptiness justified extraction of mineral wealth. Made me dig out an old photo album from 2002 when I was there.
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 AM
My local library got a copy of Extraction from @triofrancos.bsky.social — it starts with a description of the Atacama desert and salt flats in Chile and how a colonial narrative of emptiness justified extraction of mineral wealth. Made me dig out an old photo album from 2002 when I was there.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
I'm on @macrodosepod.bsky.social alongside great peeps, for an episode on war, climate crisis, and the economy.
My own remarks focus on the rise of state capitalism with a military-imperial twist, at the very heart of US empire
open.spotify.com/episode/4un1...
@campolis.bsky.social
My own remarks focus on the rise of state capitalism with a military-imperial twist, at the very heart of US empire
open.spotify.com/episode/4un1...
@campolis.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I'm on @macrodosepod.bsky.social alongside great peeps, for an episode on war, climate crisis, and the economy.
My own remarks focus on the rise of state capitalism with a military-imperial twist, at the very heart of US empire
open.spotify.com/episode/4un1...
@campolis.bsky.social
My own remarks focus on the rise of state capitalism with a military-imperial twist, at the very heart of US empire
open.spotify.com/episode/4un1...
@campolis.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
If you missed our launch event on 16 October, you're in luck!
You can now listen back to the live recording with @stephensemler.bsky.social, @iliasalami.bsky.social, @triofrancos.bsky.social & @lalehkhalili.bsky.social on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
👇
open.spotify.com/show/7ABsNTl...
You can now listen back to the live recording with @stephensemler.bsky.social, @iliasalami.bsky.social, @triofrancos.bsky.social & @lalehkhalili.bsky.social on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
👇
open.spotify.com/show/7ABsNTl...
War, Climate Crisis and the Economy w/ Common Wealth
open.spotify.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:11 AM
If you missed our launch event on 16 October, you're in luck!
You can now listen back to the live recording with @stephensemler.bsky.social, @iliasalami.bsky.social, @triofrancos.bsky.social & @lalehkhalili.bsky.social on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
👇
open.spotify.com/show/7ABsNTl...
You can now listen back to the live recording with @stephensemler.bsky.social, @iliasalami.bsky.social, @triofrancos.bsky.social & @lalehkhalili.bsky.social on @macrodosepod.bsky.social
👇
open.spotify.com/show/7ABsNTl...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
considering moving to NYC for many reasons today but not least of which would be to come to this event next week with @triofrancos.bsky.social and @dwallacewells.bsky.social
www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/thea-r...
www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/thea-r...
November 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
considering moving to NYC for many reasons today but not least of which would be to come to this event next week with @triofrancos.bsky.social and @dwallacewells.bsky.social
www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/thea-r...
www.mcnallyjackson.com/event/thea-r...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
New Dig ep w/ Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad on Brazilian political economy and where Brazil fits into world capitalist system structured by relationships of domination/unequal exchange. How the left must navigate contradictions of governance. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/braz...
Brazil and the World System w/ Fernando Haddad
Featuring Fernando Haddad on Brazilian political economy and where Brazil fits into a world capitalist system structured by relationships of domination and unequal exchange. Haddad is Finance Minister...
www.thedigradio.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
New Dig ep w/ Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad on Brazilian political economy and where Brazil fits into world capitalist system structured by relationships of domination/unequal exchange. How the left must navigate contradictions of governance. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/braz...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
La chercheuse Thea Riofrancos (@triofrancos.bsky.social) publie "Extraction", dans lequel elle part d'une longue enquête sur les mines de lithium pour comprendre les recompositions du capitalisme à l'ère de la "transition" énergétique
On en discute ici avec elle :
www.nouvelobs.com/economie/202...
On en discute ici avec elle :
www.nouvelobs.com/economie/202...
« La Chine, officiellement communiste, est probablement l’Etat capitaliste “vert” le plus performant au monde »
La chercheuse Thea Riofrancos vient de publier « Extraction », fruit d’une enquête de dix ans sur les mines de lithium, l’un des métaux essentiels à la transition énergétique. L’occasion d’analyser le...
www.nouvelobs.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 AM
La chercheuse Thea Riofrancos (@triofrancos.bsky.social) publie "Extraction", dans lequel elle part d'une longue enquête sur les mines de lithium pour comprendre les recompositions du capitalisme à l'ère de la "transition" énergétique
On en discute ici avec elle :
www.nouvelobs.com/economie/202...
On en discute ici avec elle :
www.nouvelobs.com/economie/202...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
I really enjoyed speaking with @triofrancos.bsky.social about EVs, minerals, the birds of the Atacama salt flats, the surprising biodiversity of microbes, and her great new book, Extraction.
windowofopportunity.substack.com/p/on-evs-min...
windowofopportunity.substack.com/p/on-evs-min...
Are EV Batteries Destroying Indigenous Lands?
Thea Riofrancos is asking all the hard questions — and pointing to some encouraging answers.
windowofopportunity.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
I really enjoyed speaking with @triofrancos.bsky.social about EVs, minerals, the birds of the Atacama salt flats, the surprising biodiversity of microbes, and her great new book, Extraction.
windowofopportunity.substack.com/p/on-evs-min...
windowofopportunity.substack.com/p/on-evs-min...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
A reminder this is on tomorrow at Brown. Come along if you can.
And if you are around Providence this Friday, come hear the wonderful @triofrancos.bsky.social talk her new book at Watson:
October 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A reminder this is on tomorrow at Brown. Come along if you can.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
New Dig ep w key Global South leaders from Philippines and Uganda, Walden Bello and Jane Nalunga. We trace neoliberalism’s defeat of Third Worldist project to Global South social movement/civil society networks that rose from ashes to take on neoliberal globalization. thedigradio.com/podcast/thir...
Third World Networks w/ Walden Bello and Jane Nalunga
Featuring Walden Bello and Jane Nalunga on neoliberalism’s defeat of Third Worldist radical projects and the Global South social movement and civil society networks that rose from the ashes to take on...
thedigradio.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:47 PM
New Dig ep w key Global South leaders from Philippines and Uganda, Walden Bello and Jane Nalunga. We trace neoliberalism’s defeat of Third Worldist project to Global South social movement/civil society networks that rose from ashes to take on neoliberal globalization. thedigradio.com/podcast/thir...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
And if you are around Providence this Friday, come hear the wonderful @triofrancos.bsky.social talk her new book at Watson:
October 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
And if you are around Providence this Friday, come hear the wonderful @triofrancos.bsky.social talk her new book at Watson:
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Have you read Dr. @triofrancos.bsky.social’s new book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism?
Check out this interview in @thebaffler.com to learn more about her maxim for economies transitioning to clean energy:
“Minimize extraction, maximize public good.”
thebaffler.com/latest/schro...
Check out this interview in @thebaffler.com to learn more about her maxim for economies transitioning to clean energy:
“Minimize extraction, maximize public good.”
thebaffler.com/latest/schro...
Schrodinger’s Element | Ajay Singh Chaudhary
In her new book, Thea Riofrancos homes in on the extraction of lithium—and the thorny problem of an ecologically sound energy transition
thebaffler.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Have you read Dr. @triofrancos.bsky.social’s new book Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism?
Check out this interview in @thebaffler.com to learn more about her maxim for economies transitioning to clean energy:
“Minimize extraction, maximize public good.”
thebaffler.com/latest/schro...
Check out this interview in @thebaffler.com to learn more about her maxim for economies transitioning to clean energy:
“Minimize extraction, maximize public good.”
thebaffler.com/latest/schro...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Two weeks ago Andrew Marantz accompanied me to the @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social rally in Wash Heights. He wrote a piece about @thedigradio.bsky.social and about how I see this huge opening for the left, need for coalition w libs, and the urgency of getting serious about building/wielding power. Link👇
October 27, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Two weeks ago Andrew Marantz accompanied me to the @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social rally in Wash Heights. He wrote a piece about @thedigradio.bsky.social and about how I see this huge opening for the left, need for coalition w libs, and the urgency of getting serious about building/wielding power. Link👇