Arrr! The Biden lubber crew be sailin' towards green energy, but some scallywags claim they be makin' wee ones mine battery booty!
2023-12-17
Arrr, me hearties! The scallywag Biden administration be sailin' through treacherous waters, tryin' to nab that precious cobalt and other shiny metals for their electric car contraptions. But alas, they be plagued with worries o' wee lads toilin' in mines. Avast! Twas a proper conundrum indeed!
Children as young as 4 years old are being forced to work in dangerous conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to mine cobalt, a key material for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This has raised concerns about the ethical implications of the Biden administration's green energy plans, as well as the global demand for cobalt. The DRC produces an estimated 70% of the world's cobalt, and much of it is owned or financed by Chinese companies. China has surged ahead to become the biggest EV manufacturer in the world, while some U.S. carmakers struggle to reconcile the human rights issues associated with cobalt mining. The problem also affects Europe, where the demand for cobalt is expected to increase due to climate targets. The International Labor Organization (ILO) is working to combat child labor in cobalt mining, as it is a violation of children's rights and exposes them to dangerous working conditions. The U.S. and several other governments have launched the Minerals Security Partnership to promote responsible critical minerals supply chains. However, the U.S. is still a small player in the cobalt and EV market compared to China. While maintaining human rights should be a priority, experts warn that the global transition to clean energy requires access to critical minerals like cobalt. There is a need for stronger environmental and social safeguards in the mining industry, but also a recognition of the importance of driving emissions reduction through clean technology. Ultimately, the ethical implications of cobalt mining and the race for EV sales must be addressed for the sake of the children involved and the progress of clean energy initiatives.