For over a century, coal, oil, and gas have fueled human progress—while simultaneously driving CO2 emissions to levels that now pose a global threat. The goal of decarbonizing our lives has triggered a profound transformation: the transition to an electrified future. This marks the beginning of a new age of raw materials. Metals such as copper, nickel, lithium, cobalt, and rare earths are indispensable for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and battery storage. This book unveils the origins of this metallic world and offers insights into the often-hidden landscapes of raw materials. It invites readers to reflect on the ecological and social costs of the energy transition. Through aerial photography, Tom Hegen documents the traces humans leave on the Earth's surface. His work reveals the complex interplay between human activity and the resulting changes in the landscape.