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@seb.mortimer

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@totum.studio
@sebastianmortimer

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Karen Luza, a water rights activist and community leader based in San Pedro de Atacama, told us how lithium mining was transforming their lives.

The Atacama desert is both the driest place on earth and an area rich in lithium, a critical mineral required at scale for renewable technologies. Lithium extraction however, is a thirsty process, which requires pumping vast quantities of lithium‑rich brine out of the ground and leaving it to evaporate in sprawling ponds.

The Atacama desert is palpably dry, so much so that during my time there I woke up gasping for water at night. In such an arid landscape, lithium mining puts intense pressure on traditional ways of living, as water that once sustained wetlands, crops and animals is used for lithium extraction.

Karen told us about the delicate Pre‑Incan irrigation system, established 11,000 years ago by indigenous people in the area and designed to fairly distribute water to sustain life without exhausting the source. This system has been disrupted with the introduction of lithium mining to the area. Freshwater pumping affects groundwater levels and the behaviour of rivers, wetlands and lagoons.

Water levels in the local river, upon which locals depend to grow crops and raise livestock, have dropped sharply since the expansion of mining activity in the region.

Lithium mining at scale is dramatically altering the local landscape. Yet on an international scale, we are under intense pressure to scale climate solutions and cut emissions sharply, and minerals like lithium and copper are critical to this transition from fossil fuels.

I walked away deeply conflicted about this tension but certain that regions that are not rich in minerals and metals, like much of Europe, must invest seriously in circular economies for recycling critical metals to avoid over extraction in mineral dense areas, usually in the global south.

As for Karen she fought relentlessly to protect her and her people’s way of life and preserve the land upon which they relied. She was fiercely loyal to her ancestry and people, persistently and tirelessly advocating for their rights to water.

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Outtakes from our exhibition of Re-Placed, @sebastianmortimer and I’s research project into climate migration and overurbanisation in South America earlier this year at @weare_lis

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Karina Pacaya-Cruz, an indigenous leader in Lima, Peru told us of the joint environmental and economic pressures pushing her, and her wider community, to relocate from a small village in the Amazon to the capital of Peru, Lima.

The lack of education and professional opportunities for their children, the lack of medical care combined with environmental degradation all contributed to their migration. An oil spill into the river upon which they relied for drinking water, harvesting crops, washing clothes and more challenged their basic needs. Ultimately making life as indigenous people in their own land impossible.

But Lima, the capital city, was not a flawless urban refuge. Life as indigenous people in the capital city brought its own challenges, some of them environmental.

Finding somewhere to live with minimal resources or capital saw Karina and her community find home wedged between two big roads. Air pollution from cars and dust was, and is, an ongoing problem, one which has caused serious respiratory health issues for the community.

Despite adversities in rural and urban life, Karina was fiercely proud of her culture, language and heritage and maintained a deep sense of pragmatic positivity, the positivity of someone who’s overcome and is still overcoming real challenge. She introduced herself not in Spanish but in her indigenous language and spent the best part of our time together working on a cultural bracelet she sold to tourists.

When our time together was almost over I bought the bracelet, it doesn’t fit but it’s been a sturdy bookmark for several years and it reminds me of her and her story ❤️🇵🇪

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Join @designmuseum on 15 June for Manifestos: Architecture for a New Generation 2024! 💭

Take a glimpse into the future of the city, as the annual event returns for its 6th edition, presenting thought-provoking manifestos from emerging voices who are expanding the parameters of what architecture can be, who #London is for and what its future holds.

A brilliant lineup of creatives, selected for their engagement with and commitment to the practice of progressive, inclusive place-making in London, will present and discuss their values, practice and calls to action for a Reimagined London and Industry, followed by a panel discussion.

@samtanadeem | @spaceblack__ | @chrislaing_ | @seb.totum.studio | @marfsummers

👉 Book your tickets now using link in bio!

#LFA2024 #LFAat20 #Reimagine

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The gloriously rural Barn Drift, sprawling along one of the most beautiful, hidden places along the North Norfolk Coast to the sound of waves crashing on Cley beach.

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This photo taken with our back to the sea, the glorious and constant crashing of waves onto the shingle in the distance #nowherebettertobe

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totum.studio has a new look

Go check out our website and order your copy of issue three today!!

(Still working on the mobile version, (it works),but will look even better soon)

🦖

#totumstudio #artists #designers #creatives #youngdesigners #youngcreatives #youngartists #supportlocalartists #londonartist #londondesigner
#londoncreative #creativespace

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The light on the North Norfolk coast has, for centuries been revered and even here, through this tiny window it is glorious 🛀

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Through the trees ~ essential trees, young and old. Both self-seeded over the years and planted by four generations of the family over the years - adding history to the landscape and maintaining essential habitats. 📸@seb.totum.studio.

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The Hangar, just a few yards from the house and an exquisite contrast with dramatic sea views🔭

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Find our latest issue on our website available for pre order now with 20% off!!

www.totum.studio

A huge thank you to all featuring:
@alice.ck.art @santaritabeatriz @calvin.creps @cecilylj @helpcutthecrap @selinapirinccioglu @elliecarrsmith @feliceknol @_elliottbulman_design @fergusarch @harry_i_jewellery @jeanne.l.izard @matttrobo @ertemdamla @nancibyrnelynch @karmenlam28 @lynnzoutlaw @la.ra.an.na @the.climateride @its_all_bucci_ @joyrichu @reb.bossley_art @seansynnuck @smorczewska.s @frenchwilliam_official @bellavinemusic @chairmanmclucas @josh.bulman.totum.studio @seb.totum.studio

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#totumstudio #artanddesign #nonprofit #smallbusiness #artanddesignmagazine #studentmagazine #youngcreatives #youngartists #youngdesigners Order Totum studio magazine issue 3 now

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Writing desks in every room and high speed WIFi ~ desks look good and thankfully you can’t see the WiFi !

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