logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2021
31m 5s

The blood diamond of batteries

Vox
About this episode

Cobalt is powering the electric vehicle revolution, but much of the world’s supply is mined under deadly conditions in Congo. Journalist Nicolas Niarchos explains Congo's resource curse.

Today’s show was produced by Will Reid, edited by Matt Collette, engineered by Efim Shapiro, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
Plastic rain
We're revisiting an episode from earlier this year about how we were mostly able to get the acid rain problem under control...only to find ourselves with a plastic rain problem. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Victoria Chamberlin ... Show More
27m 33s
Jul 10
From Alligator Alcatraz to South Sudan
The Trump administration is not happy with their deportation numbers. They're turning to more extreme strategies to hit 1 million by year's end. This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and ... Show More
28m 49s
Jul 9
I was told there would be deals
After pressing pause on the steepest tariffs, the Trump Administration promised 90 tariff deals in 90 days. That deadline is nearly here but the deals are not. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kri ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
ConGRADulations, fellow kids
Hey, Weeds listeners: Today, we are bringing you an episode of Today, Explained that originally aired in early June.  Ten months ago, the faculty of Cramer Hill Elementary set out to get their kids back on track after a year of mostly remote learning. Today, Explained’s Miles Bry ... Show More
27m 40s
Dec 2022
Leaping to Nuclear Fusion Conclusions
Is today’s scientific breakthrough the “holy grail” of clean energy?Adam is joined by the BBC’s science editor, Becky Morelle, who explains what nuclear fusion is, and why today’s news is a big deal.Chris Mason talks us through Rishi Sunak’s immigration plans. And business editor ... Show More
28m 23s
Apr 2022
Watt Strategy?
Government launches its nuclear and wind energy plans... Secunder Kermani hosts today's Newscast. He's joined by the BBC's Alex Forsyth and Emma Pinchbeck, boss of the energy industry’s trade body, to pore over the details.   Meanwhile, there's political chaos in Pakistan (where ... Show More
33m 21s
Jul 2023
Pay Attention
Rishi Sunak makes what he says is the final offer on pay rises for the public sector. But what’s on the table, and where’s the money coming from? Chris and Faisal join Adam to discuss the government’s offer and the response from the unions.Also, Sofia Bettiza, BBC reporter in Rom ... Show More
27m 9s
Nov 2022
Holding on to power
A mountain, a tower, a thermos full of molten salt: These are the batteries that could power our renewable future.For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainableIt’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.c ... Show More
31m 34s
Jan 2023
Huw'scast
Newsreader Huw Edwards is in the Newscast studio to discuss addressing the nation following the Queen's death, the annual BBC Young Reporter Competition and why podcasts maybe aren't his thing. Also, Adam and Chris are joined by tax expert Rebecca Benneyworth to crunch the number ... Show More
34m 32s
Dec 2021
Nicolas Niarchos Exposes the Cobalt Gold Rush
(Recorded October 4, 2021) Journalist Nicolas Niarchos may be the grandson of a famous Greek shipping magnate, but he can be found covering challenging and dangerous subjects like conflicts, minerals, and migration in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is a reporter at large ... Show More
39m 47s
Nov 2020
The post-election economy
Emily Stewart joins Dara and Matt to discuss the prospects for Covid relief and Janet Yellen.Resources:"Janet Yellen's mistake" by Matthew Yglesias, Slowboring.com"Electoral politics on an unfair playing field" by Aaron Strauss, Slowboring.comWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mat ... Show More
1h 1m
Apr 2021
News Vacuum
The texts between the prime minister and businessman, Sir James Dyson, have caused a political row. Laura is here to explain why. And now Coronavirus Newscast is nominated for an award, DJ and BAFTA awards ceremony host, Edith Bowman, gives Adam some advice for attending a virtua ... Show More
33m 38s
Jul 2023
Dawn Of The Threads
Meta will launch a Twitter rival app on Thursday. Adam is joined by Shiona McCallum, BBC tech reporter, and Vivian Schiller, the former head of news at Twitter, to talk about the effect they expect it to have on our online lives. Chris Mason is also on with the latest as the poli ... Show More
25m 29s