Lithium ion batteries are our future of energy. Lithium ion batteries are being used for all types of electronics, including the new electric cars that Tesla manufactures. As with any technology, there comes some upsides and some downsides. One downside is when the lithium ion batteries comes into contact into oxygen, it starts a self-emulating fire. Basically, once caught on fire, there is no hope of saving the battery, and the things that the battery is connected to. One of the many upsides to these batteries is the long life, and the ability to recharge. Although the former downside may cause you to change your mind about using Lithium Ion batteries, don't. Lithium Ion batteries don't spontaneously combust, but is only sparked when tampered with. It's your choice wether or not to use them, but I strongly encourage it.

Although Lithium batteries are a great idea for the future of our planet's energy system, Lithium batteries have many more cons than pros. To start Lithium-ion batteries use cathodes made of nickel and cobalt and are considered to have a significant environmental impact such as the depletion of resources, contribution to global warming, ecological toxicity, as well as impact on human health. Like most batteries when they leak it leads to significant damage to ecosystems(Sarah Moore, of AZO materials editorial feature). Recording to protesters in the area at Ganzizhou Rongda Lithium mine, a leak caused the river to be filled with dead floating fish in the Liqi River. Lithium Ion batteries also require huge supplies of cobalt. The mining of this rare metal is not environmentally or socially responsible, therefore, the use of lithium-ion batteries cannot be considered a green alternative to fossil fuels.
A different alternative to Lithium Ion batteries is Sodium Ion batteries. According to University of Oslo, and Journalist Eivind Torgesern:"Sodium Ion batteries can become a more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries. They can also become cheaper and more sustainable."In the earth's crust, there is more than 1000 times more sodium than lithium, and sodium can be found everywhere.

Sources
Azo Materials: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?Artic … n%20health.
ParterscienceNorway: https://partner.sciencenorway.no/batter … everywhere.

Dear koikBOD,
I agree that lithium batteries can be detrimental to the environment because of the mining necessary for materials, but they are still a better alternative for fossil fuels. Fossil fuels have a more serious impact on the environment, because even though both lithium batteries and fossil fuels have to be mined/drilled for, lithium batteries do not release greenhouse gasses when burned, because they are not burned like fossil fuels. Furthermore, if handled responsibly, leaks in lithium mines are preventable, while the damage caused by fossil fuels is not.
On the topic of sodium-ion batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a higher energy density than sodium-ion batteries, which means they produce more energy considering their size compared to sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries also use cathodes and anodes, which also require certain metals to create just like lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, no electric vehicles currently actually use sodium-ion batteries, because their energy density and battery life are significantly lower than lithium-ion batteries. In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries are the best alternative to fossil fuels. (Elon Musk puts them in his Teslas)

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment … ns-to-them
https://www.grepow.com/blog/sodium-ion- … es-better/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium-ion_battery