Synopsis

Do we need to get dirty before we go green?

Scars of Growth is a film about the contradiction that one of the most polluting industries has become an ally in the fight against climate change.

The Green Deal is Europe's new growth strategy, framed as a solution to avert climate collapse. By promoting electric cars and renewable energy the EU aims to boost economic growth while safeguarding the planet. Yet these "green" technologies require vast amounts of metals, most of which currently come from China. To reduce this dependency a new EU law to push for more mining within Europe is implemented. A sweeping majority of politicians back the reopening of "green mines" in Europe.

The communities living on these sites, however, worry that their livelihoods will be forsaken in the name of accelerating the energy transition.

Héctor, a farmer from Spain, and Matti, one of the last indigenous reindeer herders in Sweden, believe their already sustainable livelihoods will be sacrificed for big industries' interests.

Is there a way out of the extractive mindset our economies and governments are trapped in?