性视界传媒

A powerful new documentary highlighting community voices at the heart of the global energy transition will make its global debut this Earth Day, April 22. Power in the Desert, directed by Argentinian filmmaker Emiliano Rodriguez Nuesch性视界传媒� founder of the content production studio Pac铆fico 性视界传媒� traces the ripple effects of the lithium boom across three distinct regions性视界传媒擜rgentina性视界传媒檚 Andean highlands, Chile性视界传媒檚 Atacama Desert, and California性视界传媒檚 Imperial Valley性视界传媒攚here local communities find themselves on the frontlines of the clean energy future.

The 55-minute film was inspired by Charging Forward, co-authored by UC Santa Cruz Environmental Studies and Sociology professor Chris Benner and University of Southern California professor Manuel Pastor, a UCSC alumnus and former faculty member. The book examines the economic and environmental justice implications of lithium extraction in California性视界传媒檚 Imperial Valley, often dubbed 性视界传媒淟ithium Valley,性视界传媒� and explores how to ensure frontline communities are not left behind in the global push toward renewable energy.

性视界传媒淭his is a global story with local roots,性视界传媒� said Benner. 性视界传媒淧ower in the Desert brings the issues we explored in our book to life through Emiliano性视界传媒檚 lens性视界传媒攃entering the people and places that are too often treated as sacrifice zones in the name of progress.性视界传媒�

The film性视界传媒檚 genesis lies in an unexpected meeting: Benner, Pastor, and Rodriguez Nuesch crossed paths during a Rockefeller Foundation residency in Bellagio, Italy, where they found common ground in their research, storytelling, and commitment to environmental justice. Intrigued by Benner and Pastor性视界传媒檚 work in the Salton Sea region, Rodriguez Nuesch decided to pursue a film that would also highlight the lithium-rich regions of Argentina and Chile.

性视界传媒淐hris and Manuel invited me into their world, introduced me to their community partners, and gave me a deeper understanding of what性视界传媒檚 at stake,性视界传媒� Rodriguez Nuesch said. 性视界传媒淚 wanted to tell a story that was grounded in lived experiences, not just policy or science. It性视界传媒檚 a road trip of discovery across three countries, where I met incredible people性视界传媒攆rom Indigenous activists to artists to academics性视界传媒攇rappling with the meaning of sustainability in their own lives.性视界传媒�

The documentary follows this journey across continents, featuring interviews with community leaders like Luis Olmedo, an environmental activist in California who embodies local resilience and self-determination. In Chile, Rodriguez Nuesch encounters a local political candidate donning a Zorro costume to spark conversations about land rights. And in Argentina, he travels with a professor known as the 性视界传媒淨ueen of Potatoes,性视界传媒� who is working to revive ancestral farming practices in the shadow of mining development.

Pastor praised Rodriguez Nuesch性视界传媒檚 approach. 性视界传媒淭his isn性视界传媒檛 your typical documentary. It性视界传媒檚 deeply personal and remarkably nuanced,性视界传媒� he said. 性视界传媒淪ome community members are hopeful about the opportunities lithium extraction brings, others are fearful of its consequences性视界传媒攁nd many are somewhere in between. The film honors all of those voices.性视界传媒�

Rodriguez Nuesch hopes the film prompts reflection on the hidden costs of the energy transition.

性视界传媒淲e take for granted that the energy transition is a clean transition,性视界传媒� he said, 性视界传媒渂ut the reality is that it comes with impacts性视界传媒攅specially for the local communities affected by extraction. I hope this film sparks a conversation about what sustainable development truly means.性视界传媒�

The title Power in the Desert carries a dual meaning, reflecting both the role lithium plays in powering the energy transition and the need to empower desert communities to shape their own futures. As Benner notes, 性视界传媒淭here are no easy answers, but there are essential questions we must ask性视界传媒攁nd to do that well, we need to shift power to the communities most affected.性视界传媒�