Santiago: Climate change has been a topic of scientific study for centuries, with early observations by French physicist Joseph Fourier on the potential impact of human-made greenhouse emissions. Since then, the urgency of addressing climate change has only increased, as highlighted in the 2024 State of the Climate Report, which warns of an impending global emergency. A crucial aspect of mitigating climate change involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a shift from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources.
According to Global Voices, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a key component of the green energy transition, critical for reducing emissions in both transportation and energy sectors. The mining industry plays a significant role in this transition by supplying raw materials for technologies like electric vehicle batteries. China leads in rare-mineral mining, with efforts extending into deep-sea mining. However, the environmental and human rights implications of this shift are becoming increasingly evident.
Most lithium production occurs in countries within the global majority, such as those in Latin America, where over 80 percent of lithium projects are located on Indigenous lands. This has raised significant human rights concerns. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has documented over 600 alleged human rights abuses linked to the extraction of transition materials, predominantly in Africa and the Americas. The green transition, while well-intentioned, has been criticized for masking intensified militarism and servicing the arms and security industry under the guise of sustainability.
In Chile’s Atacama Desert, a biodiversity hotspot and home to Indigenous communities like the Lickanantay, lithium extraction has transformed the landscape dramatically. The process involves extensive water use, affecting the delicate ecosystem and the cultural life of the Indigenous peoples. Concerns over resource sharing have led to calls for constitutional reform in Chile, reflecting the growing unease over the current economic model.
The environmental impact of mining for renewable energy materials often mirrors the harms associated with fossil fuel extraction. In Zambia, a dam collapse at a Chinese-owned copper mine resulted in severe environmental damage, affecting millions of people. Similarly, nickel mining in Indonesia has caused respiratory issues among local populations. Human Rights Watch has emphasized the need for a clean, equitable energy economy that prioritizes communities and the environment.
Electric car production, while promising a sustainable future, has its own set of challenges. Companies like Tesla benefit from selling carbon emissions credits, sometimes at the expense of displaced Indigenous communities. Conservation efforts, often framed as green initiatives, can lead to deforestation and disregard for existing communities and ecosystems.
In conclusion, while the green transition is essential for combating climate change, it must be pursued responsibly. This includes ensuring human rights are respected, environmental impacts are minimized, and the benefits of technological advancements are equitably shared. The reality of rare-earth mineral extraction necessitates a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, one that prioritizes both people and the planet.