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
New #RhodesCenter #podcast: The extraction industry powering the green transition — @mkblyth.bsky.social and @triofrancos.bsky.social break down lithium’s outsized role in the green transition and global politics.
The extraction industry powering the green transition
Quickly and easily listen to The Rhodes Center Podcast with Mark Blyth for free!
ow.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
New #RhodesCenter #podcast: The extraction industry powering the green transition — @mkblyth.bsky.social and @triofrancos.bsky.social break down lithium’s outsized role in the green transition and global politics.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Thea Riofrancos' Extraction is thoughtful, rigorous, engaged, and unafraid to look at the international demands made of us here in the US. It's a model of political logic and solidarity. Buy www.theariofrancos.com/extraction then listen: thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
November 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Thea Riofrancos' Extraction is thoughtful, rigorous, engaged, and unafraid to look at the international demands made of us here in the US. It's a model of political logic and solidarity. Buy www.theariofrancos.com/extraction then listen: thedigradio.com/podcast/extr...
Essential essay by @iliasalami.bsky.social on new configurations of state ownership + state investment funds being deployed in the race for military, AI, and energy supply chain dominance. The trend rhymes with earlier eras of Great Power conflict but updated for a networked global economy.
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Essential essay by @iliasalami.bsky.social on new configurations of state ownership + state investment funds being deployed in the race for military, AI, and energy supply chain dominance. The trend rhymes with earlier eras of Great Power conflict but updated for a networked global economy.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
And now..in our regular discussion of how climate change is really geopolitics...I give you @triofrancos.bsky.social and her fabby new book: player.captivate.fm/episode/16cc...
In other words - The new Rhodes Center Podcast is up...
In other words - The new Rhodes Center Podcast is up...
The extraction industry powering the green transition
Quickly and easily listen to The Rhodes Center Podcast with Mark Blyth for free!
player.captivate.fm
November 25, 2025 at 1:23 AM
And now..in our regular discussion of how climate change is really geopolitics...I give you @triofrancos.bsky.social and her fabby new book: player.captivate.fm/episode/16cc...
In other words - The new Rhodes Center Podcast is up...
In other words - The new Rhodes Center Podcast is up...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
this one is really good; check it out
I’m on @thedigradio.bsky.social. We talk about the intertwined histories of capitalism and extraction; the origins of OPEC & new geopolitics of supply chains; what I think about degrowth; green development in the Global South; green economic populism in US; Chinese industrial policy & much more
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
this one is really good; check it out
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Really enjoyed listening! Interesting discussion around the history and politics of resource nationalism, Chinese industrial policy, and more. One thing that strikes me is how political critical minerals and mining writ large, and how thoroughly that's ignored in geoscience education and research.
I’m on @thedigradio.bsky.social. We talk about the intertwined histories of capitalism and extraction; the origins of OPEC & new geopolitics of supply chains; what I think about degrowth; green development in the Global South; green economic populism in US; Chinese industrial policy & much more
November 24, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Really enjoyed listening! Interesting discussion around the history and politics of resource nationalism, Chinese industrial policy, and more. One thing that strikes me is how political critical minerals and mining writ large, and how thoroughly that's ignored in geoscience education and research.
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Listening to the 500th episode of @thedigradio.bsky.social and getting extremely verklempt, I don’t think there’s any other outlet that’s kept me pointed due north like this incredible show. I quite literally grew up with it and do not think I’d be one quarter the organizer I am without it
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Listening to the 500th episode of @thedigradio.bsky.social and getting extremely verklempt, I don’t think there’s any other outlet that’s kept me pointed due north like this incredible show. I quite literally grew up with it and do not think I’d be one quarter the organizer I am without it
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Extraction by Thea Riofrancos is really good—and beautifully written.
It’s refreshing to see a warning about the risks of mining for decarbonization that is neither bad-faith fossil propaganda nor a call for fatalism and hard degrowth. @triofrancos.bsky.social
It’s refreshing to see a warning about the risks of mining for decarbonization that is neither bad-faith fossil propaganda nor a call for fatalism and hard degrowth. @triofrancos.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Extraction by Thea Riofrancos is really good—and beautifully written.
It’s refreshing to see a warning about the risks of mining for decarbonization that is neither bad-faith fossil propaganda nor a call for fatalism and hard degrowth. @triofrancos.bsky.social
It’s refreshing to see a warning about the risks of mining for decarbonization that is neither bad-faith fossil propaganda nor a call for fatalism and hard degrowth. @triofrancos.bsky.social
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Climate books incoming. Very exciting.
Feat. @triofrancos.bsky.social @drodrik.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @alybatt.bsky.social and Malcolm Harris
Feat. @triofrancos.bsky.social @drodrik.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @alybatt.bsky.social and Malcolm Harris
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Climate books incoming. Very exciting.
Feat. @triofrancos.bsky.social @drodrik.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @alybatt.bsky.social and Malcolm Harris
Feat. @triofrancos.bsky.social @drodrik.bsky.social @billmckibben.bsky.social @alybatt.bsky.social and Malcolm Harris
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
perhaps thinking about this because of @triofrancos.bsky.social (drawing on Arboleda) on how mining of "critical minerals" is centered on/creating pockets of "Global South" in North America (just one fragment of a great interview with Ajay Chaudhary in @thebaffler.com) 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
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
perhaps thinking about this because of @triofrancos.bsky.social (drawing on Arboleda) on how mining of "critical minerals" is centered on/creating pockets of "Global South" in North America (just one fragment of a great interview with Ajay Chaudhary in @thebaffler.com) thebaffler.com/latest/schro...
Reposted by Thea Riofrancos
Ecuador voters just rejected allowing foreign military bases by a 20-point margin.
See Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/americ...
See Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/americ...
November 17, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Ecuador voters just rejected allowing foreign military bases by a 20-point margin.
See Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/americ...
See Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/americ...
I’m on @thedigradio.bsky.social. We talk about the intertwined histories of capitalism and extraction; the origins of OPEC & new geopolitics of supply chains; what I think about degrowth; green development in the Global South; green economic populism in US; Chinese industrial policy & much more
November 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I’m on @thedigradio.bsky.social. We talk about the intertwined histories of capitalism and extraction; the origins of OPEC & new geopolitics of supply chains; what I think about degrowth; green development in the Global South; green economic populism in US; Chinese industrial policy & much more
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 )