Rare earth metals are part of the battery boom, and are used not only to fuel our technical and by default our economic needs, but also to fuel a dirty world of exploitation and third world corruption. Yet we already know this. We know that as we are reading this from our smartphones, that we have inevitably facilitated this exploitation.
Why You’re Not Responsible for Mineral Exploitation:
At the same token, we shouldn’t have to be burdened by this reality because it’s not like consumers can physically change this. Our choices can help convey our dissent, but large-scale boycotting won’t upend engrained histories, and anyone who contends otherwise is perhaps none the wiser.
It’s not a if-you-can’t-beat-em-join-’em mentality. It’s about recognizing the feasibility of challenging a global industry and practice that is literally responsible for how we function in modern day societies. You need a computer for almost every job and a phone that will connect you to a world that requires you to use one. Boycotting any form of technology because it is exploiting people in the third world isn’t an option. Sometimes it is to unavoidable because you have to tear into certain parts of the world to access the metals and minerals.
While I believe there isn’t much we can do to completely combat this, responsible consumerism is in our hands as well. Rare earth metals are critical to the construction of many of the components that make technology work.
How Mineral Extraction Works:
Labour issues regarding the working conditions have consistently sparked global outrage. Environmental costs that are associated with rare earth metals are significant. First you have to extract them. Then you must purify them. Once they are distributed into the required technology they end up landfills because it is less expensive to toss equipment than it is to recycle it. A push in the right direction of recycling electronics has its own environmental and social problems.
Mining companies often resist the environmental reform because they want to make as much money as possible in order to provide metals to manufactures at the prices demanded by them. This is crucial to remaining competitive and attempt to use clean metals require too much money and consumers aren’t willing to pay those premiums.
Your Choices do Matter:
Ethically sourced supplies need to be made more readily available if consumers can purchase them. Companies that outsource or import exploitative labour should be publically shamed and denounced by governments in order to send messages to citizens about stewardship and corporate responsibility. If not, precious and rare earth metals will continue to degrade both our environment and humanity at large.
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