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Atacama Desert

Evaporation ponds in the Atacama salt flat

Global demand for lithium is changing Chile’s Atacama Desert

Energy

In the past 10 years, the global demand for lithium has skyrocketed, and the production increase of electric vehicles is expected to raise this demand by at least 300% in the next 10 years. Chile meets about a third of the lithium demands, and plans to boost its production in the next few years.

A store displays packages of unwanted clothing for ready for selling, Iquique, Chile.

Fast fashion is causing an environmental disaster in Chile’s Atacama Desert

Environment
Fields of pata de guanaco flowers bloom across the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.

Chile tries to protect its ‘flowering desert’ from climate change, tourists

Environment
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