nursingstudent27

[nursingstudent27]

Conflict in Myanmar

I have been reading about rare earth mining specifically in Myanmar. Rare earths are elements that are used in everything from cell phones to cars and trains. The mining of rare earths is very detrimental to the environment and the people in  The Sacrifice Zone: Myanmar bears cost of green energy by Dake Kang, VIctoria Milko and Lori Hinnant discusses how mining for the rare earths has taken effect on the environment of Myanmar and its people. The rising demand for rare earths has caused an increase in mining. The are using rare earths in green initiatives like electric cars, they have decided the environmental effects of gas and oil out way the environment effects of rare earth mining. I don’t understand how they made this decision especially when it does not seem sustainable for both gas and oil and mining of rare earths. China decided to outsource the mining to Myanmar as they are cracking down on rare earth mining in China. In outsourcing to Myanmar, this has lead to the formation of militia’s that control the mining sites. There has also been a coup of the government of Myanmar in 2021, since then the military has undermined freedom, imprisoned over 5,000 people and killed about 2,167 civilians. This military coup, has given more power to the militias as they partner to increase the amount of rare earth mining. In the past year of control the mining pools have increased from 2,700 at over 300 sites. With the increase of mining the civilians are feeling the environmental effects of the rare earth mining as it is affecting their environment.  Some civilians catch fish from the river, however they have found lately that eating fish from the river makes them sick. Farmers have tried to file complaints, it goes back to the militia that are controlling the mining sites and now their villages. The farmers are unable to produce a healthy crop because of the pollution of the water. This affects their economy on the agricultural sector as it account for 38% of their economy.  Now 40% of the population of Myanmar is living in poverty as inflation rates rise and sources of food are becoming toxic from the rare earth mining. The uptake of rare earths also affects the health of the civilians as it can cause severe damage to nephrological systems, induce sterility and anti- testicular effects, dysfunctional neurological disorder and reduce intelligent and cause pneumoconiosis, etc. Even before the coup myanmar was struggling with maternal health there were about 250 deaths per 100,000 live birth in 2017. Non governmental groups like World Vision were working with the community to make more awareness around maternal health and early childhood care.  This is only brushing the surface of what is happening in Myanmar.