#coltan crisis

[alwaysbewoke]

Congo💔🕊️

We really cannot be free until we all are free.

[archivio-disattivato]

Congolese Man Self-Immolates to Highlight Overlooked Genocide in Congo

A video of a Congolese man who set himself on fire to protest the ongoing genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and sympathy from viewers around the world.

The video, which was posted on Twitter on November 8, shows the man, who has not been identified, standing in front of a crowd in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, holding a sign that reads “Stop the genocide in Congo”.

He then pours gasoline over his body and lights a match, engulfing himself in flames. The crowd screams and tries to help him, but he pushes them away and falls to the ground.

The video ends with the man lying motionless on the pavement, surrounded by smoke and fire.

The man’s condition and fate are unknown, as well as his motives and background.

A brutal conflict

The man’s self-immolation is a desperate attempt to draw attention to the genocide that has been taking place in the eastern provinces of the DRC for more than two decades, claiming millions of lives and displacing millions more.

The conflict in the DRC is fueled by the competition for the rich natural resources of the region, such as gold, coltan, and cobalt, which are used in various industries and technologies.

The region is controlled by dozens of armed groups, some of whom are backed by neighboring countries, such as Rwanda and Uganda, who seek to exploit the resources and influence the politics of the DRC.

The armed groups terrorize the civilian population, committing atrocities such as rape, murder, looting, and kidnapping. They also recruit child soldiers and force people to work in the mines under harsh conditions.

The conflict has also caused a humanitarian crisis, as the DRC’s infrastructure, health-care system, and economy have collapsed, leaving millions of people in need of food, water, medicine, and shelter.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the DRC has the largest number of internally displaced people in the world, with 6.9 million people uprooted by the violence as of October 2023.

The IOM said that the conflict has worsened in recent months, with more people displaced in less time than ever before.

A failed intervention

The international community has tried to intervene in the DRC’s conflict, but with little success and much controversy.

The United Nations has deployed a peacekeeping mission in the DRC since 1999, with the mandate to protect civilians and support the political process.

However, the mission, known as MONUSCO, has been criticized for being ineffective, corrupt, and abusive. It has also faced resistance and hostility from the Congolese government and some of the armed groups.

Earlier this month, the Congolese government ordered the East African regional force, which was deployed in 2022 to help MONUSCO fight the armed groups, to leave the country by December, accusing it of failing to deliver results.

The UN has also imposed sanctions and an arms embargo on some of the parties involved in the conflict, but these measures have been violated and evaded by various actors.

The UN has also supported the efforts to bring justice and accountability to the perpetrators of the genocide, but these efforts have been hampered by the lack of cooperation and security in the region.

A call for action

The video of the man who set himself on fire has sparked a call for action from various groups and individuals, who have expressed their solidarity and support for the Congolese people.

Some have called for a boycott of the products that use the resources from the DRC, such as smartphones, laptops, and electric cars, to pressure the companies and governments that benefit from the exploitation of the region.

Some have also called for a stronger and more effective intervention from the international community, such as a diplomatic and humanitarian initiative to end the conflict and address the root causes of the violence.

Some have also called for a recognition and a commemoration of the genocide, as well as a compensation and a reconciliation for the victims and the survivors.

The video of the man who set himself on fire has also raised awareness and compassion for the plight of the Congolese people, who have suffered and endured one of the worst tragedies in human history.

[tieflingkisser]

The man’s self-immolation is a desperate attempt to draw attention to the genocide that has been taking place in the eastern provinces of the DRC for more than two decades, claiming millions of lives and displacing millions more. The conflict in the DRC is fueled by the competition for the rich natural resources of the region, such as gold, coltan, and cobalt, which are used in various industries and technologies. The region is controlled by dozens of armed groups, some of whom are backed by neighboring countries, such as Rwanda and Uganda, who seek to exploit the resources and influence the politics of the DRC. The armed groups terrorize the civilian population, committing atrocities such as rape, murder, looting, and kidnapping. They also recruit child soldiers and force people to work in the mines under harsh conditions. The conflict has also caused a humanitarian crisis, as the DRC’s infrastructure, health-care system, and economy have collapsed, leaving millions of people in need of food, water, medicine, and shelter.

I’m really glad that Aaron’s self-immolation for Palestine is getting attention, but on November 8th there was also a Congolese man who did the same thing for the genocide happening in the DRC. From what I read in the article above, his fate and identity are unknown but I think his story should be getting equal amount of traction and I haven’t really seen anyone talking about it on Tumblr specifically yet.

[williamkergroach55]

Where is East Africa going?

As peacekeepers withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), internal and external tensions in the region's countries cast a gloomy shadow over the area's future. Local players have little chance of finding a way out of the worsening humanitarian crisis.

The Blue Helmets withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

At the request of the Congolese authorities, who have expressed their wish to take greater responsibility for their country's security after years of presence, the international troops of the East African Community (EAC) have begun to withdraw from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaving a security vacuum in their wake. This decision comes as armed clashes persist in the country's eastern provinces, such as North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.

The struggle for control of gold, diamonds, coltan and oil.

The conflict in the DRC pits government forces against various rebel groups, including the M23. The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are active in eastern DRC, mainly in the North Kivu region. The M23, which emerged in 2012 and is mainly made up of dissident soldiers from the Congolese army, has committed massacres, rapes and the recruitment of child soldiers. This led to international intervention in an attempt to restore peace and security. The main cause of the conflict in the DRC is the struggle for control of gold, diamonds and oil. There's also a new one: coltan. Coltan is a strategic resource, as it is used in the manufacture of capacitors for cell phones, computers and other electronic devices. These natural resources are coveted by armed groups and local militias, who vie for control of territories and trade routes. Ethnic rivalries often exacerbate these tensions, with armed groups rallying behind ethnic identities to claim territorial rights.

Tensions between Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the DRC.

Despite apparent efforts by the international community, tensions persist between certain countries in the region, in particular between Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the DRC. This tension is fuelled by interference and support from cross-border rebel groups who attack Congolese authorities. With the departure of the UN peacekeepers, these countries are stepping up their interference in the region.

Congolese forces

The Congolese government, led by President Félix Tshisekedi, claims to want to ensure security and stability in the areas previously covered by international forces. But the Congolese security forces are corrupt, guilty of abuses against civilians and unable to ensure security throughout the country. The withdrawal of peacekeepers from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) therefore leaves a vacuum. MONUSCO troops were a bulwark against both Congolese army and rebel abuses in eastern DRC. Their departure leaves the local populations alone to face their tormentors.

Sudan confronts its exactions

Faced with the military impasse, regional leaders are turning to diplomacy to find a solution to the conflict in the DRC. The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, wants to lead a diplomatic initiative to defuse tensions. But in Sudan itself, the death of thousands of civilians, the massive displacement of millions more, the looting of property and the conscription of children - the picture is bleak. Indiscriminate attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces, summary executions, ethnic violence and sexual violence, including gang rape, have led to the displacement of millions of people, both within Sudan and in neighbouring countries.

Contact: worldnewsdigest@protonmail.com Source : https://fr.apanews.net/not-to-be-missed/soudan-lonu-pointe-des-violations-horribles-des-droits-de-lhomme/

[smartphonegears]

Embracing a Sustainable Future: The Power of Choosing Pre-Owned Phone

In an era marked by relentless technological advancement, the allure of owning the latest electronic gadgets is undeniable. The sleek design, enhanced features, and promises of cutting-edge performance make the prospect of acquiring new devices enticing. However, amid the excitement and anticipation lies an urgent environmental concern—the mounting electronic waste (e-waste) crisis. The ceaseless quest for novel gadgets contributes significantly to this predicament. This article embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the imperative to choose pre-owned phones as a pivotal stride toward achieving sustainability. By extending the lifespan of devices and curbing the e-waste epidemic, individuals can actively contribute to a healthier planet for both themselves and generations to come.

The Environmental Predicament

As one unboxes a brand-new phone, the enthusiasm often overshadows thoughts about the device it is replacing. The inconvenient reality is that many discarded devices contribute to the e-waste stream. Electronics contain valuable materials, including metals, plastics, and glass. However, they also harbor hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and flame retardants. When improperly discarded, these chemicals can seep into the environment, contaminating soil, water sources, and even endangering human health.

The scope of the e-waste crisis is staggering. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report unveiled that in 2019, the world generated a staggering 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste, with a mere 17.4% of this waste officially collected and recycled. The remaining 82.6% found its way to landfills, incinerators, or informal disposal sites, perpetuating environmental degradation on a global scale.

Unveiling the Environmental Impact of Phone Production

The life cycle of a new electronic device, such as a phone, involves several stages, each carrying significant environmental ramifications.

Resource Extraction: The sourcing of materials required for manufacturing, such as metals, minerals, and rare earth elements, often involves practices like deforestation, habitat destruction, and unethical mining. Precious metals like coltan, which is crucial for electronic components, are frequently mined under conditions that disregard both environmental preservation and the well-being of local communities.

Manufacturing and Energy Consumption: The manufacturing process of electronic devices is resource-intensive and energy-demanding. It consumes substantial amounts of electricity and raw materials, leading to increased carbon emissions, contributing to climate change, and exacerbating environmental concerns.

Short Device Lifespan: In an era characterized by rapid technological evolution, newer and more advanced models flood the market frequently. The pace of innovation renders devices obsolete within a short span. The rapid succession of new models results in a surge of discarded devices, aggravating the e-waste problem.

The Advantages of Opting for Pre-Owned Phones

Amid this mounting crisis, the choice to opt for pre-owned phones emerges as a prudent and ethical solution. By making the conscious decision to embrace pre-owned devices, individuals can wield a significant impact in various domains.

Resource Conservation: The choice to opt for pre-owned phones extends the lifecycle of existing devices. This act effectively reduces the demand for new manufacturing, conserving precious resources such as metals, minerals, and energy. By adopting pre-owned phones, individuals can directly alleviate the environmental burden imposed by excessive resource extraction and manufacturing processes.

E-Waste Mitigation: The decision to embrace pre-owned phones also contributes to e-waste mitigation. By choosing pre-owned options, individuals divert devices from landfills and incineration, effectively reducing the amount of e-waste generated. This practice also prevents the release of toxic substances into the environment, safeguarding ecosystems and human well-being.

Energy Efficiency: The production of new electronic devices, including phones, necessitates significant energy consumption. By opting for pre-owned devices and extending their lifespan, individuals indirectly reduce the energy demand associated with manufacturing processes. This reduction in energy demand translates to reduced carbon emissions and a smaller environmental footprint.

Advocating for Ethical Consumption: By actively choosing pre-owned phones, consumers are sending a clear message to manufacturers and the broader industry. This message conveys a preference for products that are sustainable, repairable, and designed with longevity in mind. This growing demand for pre-owned devices encourages manufacturers to consider durability, reparability, and environmental impact in their product designs.

Navigating the Pre-Owned Phone Market

For those contemplating the transition to pre-owned phones, there are certain steps to navigate this alternative market effectively.

Research Trustworthy Sources: Find reputable sellers, certified refurbishes, and established online platforms specializing in pre-owned phones. Thorough research ensures the authenticity and quality of the devices.

Comprehensive Inspection: Upon receiving a pre-owned phone, conduct a thorough examination. Inspect the physical condition of the device, checking for any damage or wear and tear. Test all features, including the screen, buttons, camera, and battery life, to ensure they meet your expectations.

Consider Warranty Options: Many pre-owned phones come with warranties or guarantees, providing an added layer of confidence in your purchase. Evaluate the terms and conditions of the warranty before finalizing your decision.

Compatibility Check: Before acquiring a pre-owned phone, ensure that it is compatible with your carrier and can support the latest software updates. This compatibility ensures a seamless and satisfactory user experience.

Prioritize Reparability: When selecting a pre-owned phone, prioritize devices that are designed with reparability in mind. Devices that can be easily repaired and upgraded extend their useful lifespan and contribute to sustainable consumption.

Empowering Change Through Informed Choices

The collective impact of individual choices is immeasurable. By actively opting for pre-owned phones, individuals are making a conscious decision to support sustainable technology consumption. This decision creates a ripple effect that resonates through various dimensions of the environmental and technological landscape.

Impact on E-Waste Reduction: Opting for pre-owned phones directly contributes to the reduction of e-waste. As devices are diverted from landfills and incineration, the burden on waste management systems is alleviated. This shift also prevents the release of toxic substances into the environment, safeguarding ecosystems and minimizing health risks.

Promotion of Resource Efficiency: Extending the lifecycle of devices conserves valuable resources such as metals, minerals, and energy. Individuals actively promote resource efficiency and environmental preservation by reducing the demand for new manufacturing.

Encouraging a Circular Economy: Embracing pre-owned phones aligns with the principles of a circular economy. A circular economy seeks to minimize waste and maximize the value of existing resources. By opting for pre-owned devices, individuals contribute to the creation of a sustainable economic model where resources are repurposed and valued.

Advocacy for Sustainable Practices: The choice to embrace pre-owned phones is a form of advocacy for sustainable practices within the electronics industry. The demand for pre-owned devices signals a preference for products that are designed to last, can be repaired, and have a reduced environmental footprint. This consumer-driven demand encourages manufacturers to prioritize sustainability in their product designs and manufacturing processes.

Educational and Societal Impact: The choice to embrace pre-owned phones can also have an educational and societal impact. By making informed decisions and spreading awareness about the benefits of pre-owned devices, individuals contribute to a broader understanding of sustainable consumption practices. This awareness can inspire others to make similar choices, creating a collective movement towards a more sustainable future.

Challenges and Considerations

While the adoption of pre-owned phones presents numerous advantages, it is essential to acknowledge potential challenges and considerations.

[acepumpkinpatrick]

Directly:

Israel is the biggest exporter of cut diamonds in the world, even though the land contains non. The diamonds are stolen from the DRC, where Israel trains Ugandan and Rwandan militias to maintain conflict in eastern DRC

Indirectly:

The largest tech companies in the world, Google, Dell, Microsoft, Tesla, Apple..etc. that benefit from the conflict to steal DRC's resources of cobalt and coltan, also support and supply the Israeli Zionist Occupation with genocidal technology against Palestinians

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A post shared by J. Anthony DePice🐺 (@anthonydepice)

That's why we say systems of oppression are connected.

Y'all still boycotting, right? Still following the BDS movement, right? You still remember that Boycotts are for life, right?? You read that the Israeli Zionist Occupation is connected to other ongoing genocides, e.g. in Congo, right???

[rebootmonkey]

Sustainable Solutions: Embracing the Future of IT Hardware Recycling

As technology rapidly evolves, the demand for newer and more powerful IT hardware continues to grow. While this progress brings numerous benefits, it also presents a significant challenge: what do we do with the outdated and discarded equipment? The answer lies in embracing IT hardware recycling—a vital practice that promotes sustainability, reduces electronic waste, and fosters a circular economy. In this article, we will delve into the world of IT hardware recycling, exploring its importance, benefits, and the path forward.

The Urgent Need for IT Hardware Recycling

The proliferation of technology has resulted in an alarming increase in electronic waste (e-waste) generation worldwide. The United Nations estimates that approximately 50 million metric tons of electronic waste is generated each year, with a mere 20% being recycled through formal channels. The rest often ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of, leading to environmental pollution and health hazards due to the toxic materials contained in electronics.

To address this crisis, IT hardware recycling has emerged as a sustainable solution. By recycling electronics, we can recover valuable materials, reduce the need for raw resource extraction, and mitigate the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new devices. Additionally, recycling IT hardware helps bridge the digital divide by making technology more accessible to underserved communities, contributing to social equity.

The Benefits of IT Hardware Recycling

Environmental Conservation: Recycling IT hardware reduces the extraction of precious metals, such as gold, silver, and palladium, as well as minerals like coltan, which are often sourced through environmentally damaging processes. By reusing and recycling these materials, we conserve natural resources and minimize the carbon footprint of electronic devices.

Waste Reduction: By diverting electronic waste from landfills, IT hardware recycling minimizes the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Many electronic components, including batteries, circuit boards, and LCD screens, contain toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Proper recycling ensures the safe disposal or recovery of these materials, preventing them from polluting soil and water sources.

Economic Opportunities: IT hardware recycling presents economic opportunities by creating jobs in the collection, refurbishment, and processing of electronic devices. Recycling facilities also recover valuable components, such as copper, aluminum, and plastic, which can be sold as raw materials to manufacturers. This not only stimulates local economies but also reduces the reliance on imported resources.

Data Security: Recycling IT hardware involves secure data destruction processes, ensuring that sensitive information stored on devices is properly erased. This prevents data breaches and protects individuals, businesses, and organizations from potential security risks. Certified IT recycling companies adhere to stringent data sanitization protocols to safeguard privacy.

The Path Forward: Best Practices in IT Hardware Recycling

Responsible Disposal: Instead of discarding electronics in regular waste bins, individuals and businesses should utilize designated e-waste collection centers or recycling programs. Many manufacturers and retailers offer take-back initiatives, making it easier for consumers to responsibly dispose of their old devices.

Donation and Reuse: Before recycling, consider donating working equipment to schools, non-profit organizations, or community centers. Reusing electronics extends their lifespan and maximizes their value. Many refurbished devices can serve as valuable resources in educational environments or for individuals with limited access to technology.

Certified Recyclers: Choose certified IT hardware recycling companies that follow industry standards and environmentally responsible practices. Look for certifications like R2 (Responsible Recycling) and e-Stewards, which ensure proper handling, data destruction, and ethical recycling of electronic waste.

Public Awareness and Education: Governments, organizations, and communities play a crucial role in promoting IT hardware recycling. Educating the public about the benefits, processes, and resources available for responsible disposal can drive widespread adoption and engagement in recycling initiatives.

Conclusion

IT hardware recycling is an essential practice in the pursuit of a sustainable future. By responsibly managing electronic waste, we can protect the environment, conserve resources, and create economic opportunities. It is incumbent upon individuals, businesses, and governments to prioritize recycling and adopt best practices to ensure the safe and efficient disposal of outdated IT equipment. Through collective action, we can pave the way for a circular economy where IT hardware recycling becomes the norm, driving innovation and environmental stewardship.

[peterthiel1]

Responsible Consumerism: Why You Should Prioritize Mobile Phone Recycling

In today's fast-paced digital age, mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. They serve as communication devices, entertainment hubs, and tools for productivity. However, this rapid technological advancement has also led to a growing problem: electronic waste (e-waste). Mobile phones, like many other electronic gadgets, have a limited lifespan, and when they reach the end of their useful life, they often end up in landfills or incinerators, posing significant environmental and health hazards. Responsible consumerism, which emphasizes making ethical and sustainable choices, calls for a greater focus on mobile phone recycling.

The Rising Problem of E-Waste

The proliferation of mobile phones worldwide has led to a surge in electronic waste generation. Each year, millions of mobile phones are discarded, contributing to the global e-waste crisis. E-waste is not just limited to phones; it includes any electronic device that is no longer in use. This waste poses a significant threat to the environment and human health.

Environmental Implications

When mobile phones and other electronic devices are improperly disposed of in landfills or incinerated, they release hazardous chemicals and toxins into the environment. Many mobile phones contain harmful substances like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. These toxins can leach into the soil and groundwater, contaminating the ecosystem and posing risks to both flora and fauna.

Moreover, the energy and resources required to manufacture mobile phones are substantial. Extracting raw materials, processing them, and assembling the devices demand vast amounts of energy and water. By recycling mobile phones, we can reduce the need for new raw materials and save energy, ultimately lowering our carbon footprint.

Health Concerns

Beyond environmental consequences, e-waste also has severe health implications for those who are exposed to it. Workers involved in the dismantling and recycling of electronic devices are often exposed to toxic substances, leading to various health problems. Additionally, the improper disposal of e-waste in developing countries, where regulations are lax, can result in the release of hazardous fumes and the contamination of local communities.

The Benefits of Mobile Phone Recycling

Mobile phone recycling is a crucial step towards responsible consumerism. It offers several benefits that extend beyond environmental and health considerations:

Resource Conservation: Recycling mobile phones allows us to recover valuable materials like precious metals (e.g., gold, silver) and rare minerals (e.g., coltan). These resources can be reused in the production of new devices, reducing the need for mining and extraction.

Energy Savings: Manufacturing a new mobile phone consumes significantly more energy than recycling an old one. By recycling, we conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Economic Opportunities: Mobile phone recycling creates job opportunities in the recycling industry. It can also stimulate innovation in recycling technologies and processes, fostering economic growth.

Data Security: Discarded mobile phones may still contain sensitive personal information. Proper recycling ensures that data is securely erased, protecting your privacy.

Extended Product Lifespan: Recycled components can be used to repair or refurbish other devices, extending their lifespan and reducing the demand for new products.

How to Practice Responsible Mobile Phone Recycling

Now that we understand the importance of mobile phone recycling, here are some steps you can take to practice responsible consumerism:

Educate Yourself: Learn about the recycling options available in your area. Many communities have designated e-waste collection centers or programs.

Choose Responsible Retailers: When purchasing a new mobile phone, consider buying from companies that offer recycling programs or take-back initiatives. Some manufacturers even offer trade-in programs where you can exchange your old device for a discount on a new one.

Donate or Sell: If your old mobile phone is still functional, consider donating it to a charitable organization or selling it to someone who can use it. This extends the life of the device and reduces the need for a new one.

Proper Disposal: If your mobile phone is no longer functional, do not throw it in the trash. Find a certified e-waste recycling center in your area to ensure it is disposed of properly.

Data Security: Before recycling your phone, make sure to back up and securely erase all personal data. This prevents your information from falling into the wrong hands.

Advocate for Change: Support policies and initiatives that promote responsible recycling practices and discourage e-waste dumping. Advocate for stricter regulations on e-waste disposal and recycling standards.

Conclusion

Responsible consumerism is about making conscious choices that benefit not only ourselves but also the planet and future generations. Mobile phone recycling is a practical and effective way to practice responsible consumerism in the digital age. By recycling our old mobile phones, we can reduce e-waste, conserve valuable resources, and minimize the environmental and health risks associated with electronic waste.

In addition to these environmental and health benefits, mobile phone recycling offers economic opportunities and contributes to the circular economy by reusing valuable materials and reducing energy consumption. It also allows us to protect our personal data and extend the lifespan of electronic devices, promoting sustainability and responsible consumption.

As responsible consumers, it is our duty to be mindful of the impact our choices have on the world around us. Mobile phone recycling is a small but significant step we can all take to make a positive difference. By prioritizing responsible consumerism and mobile phone recycling, we can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

[alwaysbewoke]

THERE'S ALSO A GENOCIDE HAPPENING IN THE CONGO!!!!! THERE'S ALSO A GENOCIDE HAPPENING IN THE CONGO!!!!! THERE'S ALSO A GENOCIDE HAPPENING IN THE CONGO!!!!!

[everyday-is-brighter-with-you]

Text transcribed:

Slide 1:( Why Congo Matters In This Moment)( this text is on all slides )Over exploited, not poor

Slide 2: Congo has been at the center of the major tragic epochs in the past 500 year journey of Africans at home and abroad.

Slide 3: From the early 1500s to the mid 1800s, almost half of the Africans trafficked to the America's were extracted from the Kongo region of Central Africa.

Slide 4: In the late 1800s during Europe's scramble for African resources, Congo loomed large again at the 1884/85 Berlin Conference. Congo was given to King Leopold II of Belgium as his own property. During the kings 23 year reign he extracted rubber and ivory to fuel western industries while decimating the population by half, an estimated 10 million Congolese perished.

Slide 5: Again at the dawn of the 21st century, Congo is at the epicenter of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. An estimated six million Congolese have perished since 1996, in part due to thr scramble for Congo's precious and strategic minerals such as coltan, gold, tin and a number of others. In fact the conflict in the Congo is the deadliest in the world since World War II.

Slide 5: Unfortunately, the tragedy that has unfolded in the Congo in the midst of the imformation age, has occurred in silence and relative obscurity, which is quite disconcerting considering that billions of people throughout the globe are connected to the Congo through the devices they use on a daily basis such as cellphones.

End transcript

[eco-nnect]

Deep Sea Mining: what is it and why should we care?

What is it? 

Humankind knows more about space than our oceans. Its deep waters are filled with mystery, minerals, and commercial interests, driving curiosity within the international community. 

The development of technology relies on mining minerals, such as cobalt, coltan, iron, zinc, copper, nickel, titanium, lead, iron, magnesium, and silver, all quasi exhausted in land minefields through child labor and colonial practices. Due to the human exhaustion of terrestrial mining, nations and private corporations are exploring the tempting practice of mining international waters' seabeds. 

The International Seabed Authority, located in Jamaica, funded by the United Nations, controls and patrols 50% of the world's o seabed to regulate human activity. Private entities and states can request to explore seabeds and their mineral deposits through this UN agency. As attending ISA meetings in   Jamaica is very expensive, the only member states that partake are rich nations such as Canada, France, Russia, China, and the United States, all with commercial interests in deep-sea mining.

The three main commercial interests are:

Polymetallic Nodules, which are buried in fine-grain sediments. One of the highest densities of polymetallic nodules is located in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (Kiribati, French Polynesia, Cook Islands) in the Eastern Pacific. Studies suggest that this sediment contains more Nickle, Magnesium, and cobalt than all terrestrial resources combined. Polymetallic nodules are used in the development of electric vehicles. 

Polymetallic Sulphides have formed thousands of years ago through hydrothermal activity. They are referred to as "black smokers," which are active hydrothermal vents that form unique ecosystems by creating bacteria that serve as a food source to marine creatures. Polymetallic Sulphides containing copper, iron, zinc, silver, and gold. 

Cobalt Crusts are found at 400-7,000 meters deep at the flanks and tops of seamounts. The most prospective area for cobalt crusts is the Magellan Seamounts in the Pacific Ocean, east of Japan, and the Mariana Islands. Cobalt is used in all electrical and electronic devices.

When did it become a common interest? 

In the 1960s, during the verge of a metal price crisis, the geologist John L. Mereo proposed exploring and exploiting the various and unique minerals in the seabeds of international waters. In response, the Maitan Ambassador, Arrid Pardo, told the UN that these explorations are challenging in practice to achieve and besides, it presents a massive threat to humanity and the environment. As a response, the United Nations created the previously mentioned International Seabed Authority to regulate human activity, preventing states from monopolizing the natural resources found in seabeds. 

Currently, nations are exploring the idea due to the current economic crises, using it as a scapegoat for developing countries to provide their land at a meager price for exploitation. By having an intermediary authority, companies are persuading the environmental community that their activity will be monitored, controlled, and done under a set of rules that will cause no harm.

Why should we care? 

The deep sea is so unexplored that it is impossible to imagine what factors need to be considered whilst mining Companies have already thought of a methodology that looks pretty intruding to the environment and an inexperienced tactic that might produce negative results for marine habitats. The method consists of a collector vehicle that will contact the seafloor and collect the mineral deposit by cutting and breaking the mineral deposits from the substrate. This methodology can result in oil spills, destructions of marine habitats, carbon emissions, burning of fossil fuels, and unavoidable mistakes due to the ignorance of what is beyond the sea.

Human activity has already exhausted terrestrial natural resources; why should we repeatedly repeat the same mistakes? Haven't we learned anything? Deep-sea mining is dangerous both for humanity and ocean life. 

What can we do?  Firstly, you can sign these petitions, asking to prohibit deep-sea mining.

Secondly, since most of these minerals are used for technological development, as a community and consumers, we can ask and pressure tech companies to reuse the minerals of old electronics as a renewable source for technological progress. In today's world, progress can only be achieved through sustainable practices, and deep-sea mining is not a viable source.

[narrowtriangle33-blog]

Black Lives Matter everywhere.

Every Black person's life in this world matters from the children who mine coltan in the DRC, to the Children and Adults who work as slaves for chocolate companies, to Black people in America who suffer daily from racism in some shape or another, and to every other Black person in the world.

I say this not to say everybody else's life doesn't matter, but to say this because for hundreds of years in many parts of the world, Black people have been dehumanized and their lives were treated as if they didn't matter as human beings.

Leave a negative comment here and you will be blocked, don't even waste your time.

[piermanwalter]

The robot enthusiast discord server crisis has been resolved after a different crisis on the same server came to a close, freeing the attention of many outside parties to apply their own judgements to this case. I will celebrate by talking about why the Coltan city logo is so great. 

1. The logo serves as warning about going above ground. The circle is also wishful nostalgia, since the sun now sends out so many solar flares that it’s an amorphous, ever-shifting blob. 

2. Instead of a flag or coat of arms, Coltan has a logo because it’s descended from a stranded mining corporation.

3. The city was named after a mineral containing tantalum metal. The logo is an allusion to the Greek myth of Tantalus, who was punished after he died by standing in a pool of water with fruit hanging over his head. When he bends down to drink, the water recedes and when he reaches up for the fruit, it rises away. Likewise the people of Coltan can only spend so long above ground before burning to death and underground before starving.

4. It’s a direct parallel to the main driving conflict. Our main character doesn’t know where exactly in his 22-foot cyborg body his illegal organs were secretly implanted, thus starting this highly relatable story about a guy trying to find time between work hours to jack off. 

[scillame-skinofmysoul]

PROGRESSO ETICAMENTE SOSTENIBILE

CONTRAPPASSO

Ad un tratto la vita si blocca ….Tutto si ferma. Ci rinchiudiamo in casa per sfuggire al Virus. Sembra quasi la pena del contrappasso afflitta da Dante nell’Inferno ai suoi dannati. Abbiamo vissuto le nostre vite pensando a noi stessi. Giorno dopo giorno, ci siamo assuefatti a vedere immagini di guerre, di paesi distrutti, di bambini affamati, di periferie luride, di uomini costretti, magari dietro l’angolo di casa nostra, a vivere stipati in baracche, di nuovi schiavi costretti a lavorare 12 ore al giorno per uno stipendio da fame senza che tutto questo ci distogliesse dai nostri programmi, dalla nostra comoda vita. Non erano i nostri bambini, non erano le nostre case, non era un nostro problema. La risposta della vita non si fa attendere: abbiamo lavorato per la nostra casa, per la nostra famiglia e la vita ci rinchiude nelle nostre case con la nostra famiglia e ci priva degli altri. Le nostre comode case sono diventate ampolle a prova di virus, ampolle asettiche e sterili, in tutti i sensi.

NORMALITÀ

Vogliamo tornare alla “normalità” ma non possiamo considerare normale il mondo di prima. Non è normale un mondo che lascia nelle mani di un bambino un Kalashnikov, un mondo sordo alla voce della coscienza, ciecamente ubbidiente solo alle richieste del profitto. Vogliamo e dobbiamo tornare ad una normalità che si rifaccia ad una norma più umana e che la pandemia ci ha mostrato diversa, una NORMALITÀ ETICAMENTE SOSTENIBILE. È normale un mondo in cui non esistono i miei problemi e i problemi degli altri ma i problemi nostri; è normale credere di poter fermare la corsa del progresso; è normale non voler rinunciare ad una carezza, ad un abbraccio vero; è normale pensare che andare a villeggiare sulla luna sia meno importante che giocare con gli altri sulla nostra Terra.

PROGRESSO ETICAMENTE SOSTENIBILE

Se è normale tutto questo allora crediamo in un progresso diverso, un progresso più umano, fatto dagli uomini per gli uomini, un progresso che sia anche sviluppo morale, come voleva Pasolini. Crediamo in un liberismo che non sia esasperatamente individualista. Se come dice Adam Smith, nella società liberista, “quando l’uomo agisce per il proprio interesse, è spinto da una mano invisibile a promuovere un fine che non era stato previsto dalle sue intenzioni: il bene dell’umanità intera”, io non posso trasformare gli altri in “carne da macello” per il mio profitto. Roosevelt, il Presidente degli Stati Uniti, in un discorso del 1932, in piena crisi economica, parlando dell’individualismo americano, affermava: “Io credo che i singoli dovrebbero avere intera libertà d’azione (. . . ) ma non credo che nel nome di quella parola sacra “individualismo”, un limitato numero di potenti interessi debbano avere il permesso di fare carne per il cannone industriale con la metà della popolazione degli Stati Uniti(….) Dobbiamo ritornare ai principi primi; dobbiamo far sì che l’individualismo americano sia ciò che si supponeva fosse: l’opportunità di lavoro e di successo offerta a tutti, il diritto di sfruttamento negato a chiunque”.

RESPONSABILITÀ

Riappropriamoci della nostra responsabilità. Essere responsabili significa rispondere di ciò che possiamo cambiare. Riappropriamoci di ciò che possiamo cambiare. Abbiamo sempre pensato di dover fare qualcosa di grande per poter cambiare le cose. Cambiamo prospettiva, pensiamo a qualcosa di piccolo ma che impegni le nostre vite nella quotidianità di ogni giorno, quando facciamo la spesa, quando cambiamo il nostro smartphone, quando ci affidiamo ad una banca. Anche una scatola di pomodori può fare la differenza. Acquistiamo solo prodotti capaci di garantire che dietro la loro produzione non ci sia lo sfruttamento di un uomo, non ci sia un caporale, non ci sia il disinteresse per l’ambiente. Pretendiamo che per il profitto economico delle industrie diventi rilevante la sostenibilità etica.

Non si sfruttano gli uomini o i bambini perché i nostri centri commerciali si rimpinguino di merce, non si uccide l’ambiente. Parliamo tanto di diritti dell’infanzia e mai come in questo periodo firmiamo Carte che elencano i diritti dei bambini, ma passiamo freneticamente da un cellulare ad un altro di ultima generazione senza pensare che in Congo centinaia di bambini abbandonano la scuola, lavorano come schiavi, sotto il controllo dell’esercito senza nessuna protezione per le mani e le vie respiratorie, per l’estrazione del coltan che serve per produrre i nostri cellulari. Si stima che per ogni chilo di coltan estratto muoiano due bambini. Perché ci rendiamo complici di questo? Spezziamo questa asocial catena! Diamo un messaggio chiaro all’economia ma anche alla finanza che consideriamo padrona assoluta e incontrollabile. È ora di finirla con le speculazioni finanziarie dove i soldi si inseguono per produrre altri soldi, senza saper né come né a che prezzo. Quali produzioni vengono sostenute dalle nostre banche? Quali traffici vengono alimentati? Pretendiamo aziende e banche al servizio dell’umanità, non sacrifichiamo l’umanità alle leggi dell’economia e della finanza.

LA NOSTRA STELLA POLARE

Lasciamoci ispirare da grandi ideali, volgiamo lo sguardo lontano, verso nobili orizzonti, non guardiamo sempre solo a terra, vicino al nostro orticello. Crediamo nella nostra democrazia, crediamo in un uomo che senta il bisogno prepotente di partecipare alla vita politica per il bene della casa comune. Perché dobbiamo rassegnarci ad un uomo massificato, inetto, incapace di giudicare e di capire? Crediamo in un uomo diverso. Non lasciamo che altri prendano decisioni che possiamo prendere solo insieme. È vero la politica, a volte, insegue i dati della scienza e la scienza non è democratica ma lo scienziato, nella società del futuro, deve essere un uomo democratico, un uomo che crede che la razionalità della scienza sia tale da poter dar conto di sé e persuadere anche i più “cretini”. Se come dice il fisico Carlo Rovelli “la realtà non è come ci appare”, lo scienziato per essere scopritore di nuove realtà non deve temere il confronto ma anzi deve accoglierlo come occasione di un dubbio fecondo.

Gli scienziati dovrebbero essere un esempio da seguire, per quello che dicono ma soprattutto per come lo dicono, perché capaci, più degli altri, di realizzare quell’ideale della ricerca associata tanto cara a Socrate, quell’unione amorosa tra anime che insegnano e apprendono, attratti unicamente dalla forza della verità. Crediamo, nel nostro futuro, che si possa essere liberi solo tra uomini liberi e che la libertà autentica sia solo plurale. Rafforziamo quella che Martha Nusbaum definisce “immaginazione narrativa”, la capacità di immaginarci nei panni di un'altra persona, di capire la sua storia personale, di intuire le sue emozioni, i suoi desideri e le sue speranze, per riconoscerci.

Crediamo nelle nostre radici perché come dice una canzone dei Sud Sound System, molto conosciuta tra i giovani del Sud: Se nu te scierri mai de le radici ca tieni Rispetti puru quiddre de li paisi luntani Crediamo nella giustizia sempre, comunque e ad ogni costo perché non possiamo più rimanere indifferenti a milioni di esseri umani esclusi dai nostri paradisi democratici, a popolazioni civili bombardate dalle nostre guerre combattute in difesa dei loro diritti. Battiamoci perché si affermi un diritto internazionale che ci permetta di superare il caos della legge del più forte, se non per il pungolo della nostra coscienza per l’evidenza della nostra ragione che oggi più che mai ha compreso come la legge del più forte non giova alla lunga neanche al più forte perché crea incertezza e precarietà e perché, come dice Hobbes, “il più debole ha forza sufficiente per uccidere il più forte”. Del resto, sappiamo bene che, a volte, basta un minuscolo virus.

Abbiamo scoperto, più che mai, in questi giorni, che per nostri figli la cosa più bella è stare insieme agli altri, nella stessa casa, sullo stesso campo di calcio, a lavoro, in strada, a piedi nudi sulla nuda terra, sulla sabbia del mare, sotto il sole. Allora facciamo in modo che, giorno dopo giorno, sentano il puzzo del compromesso e sappiano sempre da che parte stare, inseguendo quel “fresco profumo di libertà” che ci indicava il giudice Borsellino, sicuri che non possa esserci libertà per alcuno senza giustizia per tutti.

_ Ornella Bleve - Fonte LaPresse

[ant225venezuela]

Summation of prior work

Venezuela has a complex history, and the people that call it their home are going through traumatic experiences during this time. Venezuela was once declared independent, yet there has been a dispute of power due to battles between Venezuelan patriots and Spanish forces. This dispute still effects Venezuelans today. The main issues I will be focusing on is the power the president holds and how it effects the environment and the 32 million people of Venezuela. Venezuela is a large exporter of all kinds of minerals, including (but not limited to), gold, coal, oil, and petroleum. The mining of these materials has caused environmental issues that contributes to climate change and the wellbeing of the country. Their President, Nicolás Maduro, has been ignoring this crisis and claims that “nothing and no one will stop us!” He has been trying to revive and expand mining despite all the environmental and safety issues the country is facing. Many of its residents live in extreme poverty with shortages of food, medicine, electricity, water, and even gasoline. Miners are at high risk of being shot, as well as having no protection when it comes to life threatening elements inside of the mines (Reeves, 2018). The demand of gold mining out of this country causes deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and pollution. Toxic waste is being generated from these mines and is stored in large dams. The main stakeholders this issue affects is the government, tourists, locals, as well as farmers. Tourism is very common in the Amazon rainforest, but people have been warned to stay away from certain areas that have been more affected than others. During a crisis such as this, tourists are putting themselves at a risk, yet they are a part of the reason why people want to protect the land. By seeing the damage caused by deforestation firsthand, tourists are encouraged to find ways to help it. (Moss, 2019.)  In 2016 the Venezuelan government ordered the Amazon Rainforest (12% contributes to the country’s landmass) to become a Special Economic Zone, used for mining gold, diamonds, coltan, iron, and bauxite. Under its new name, Orinoco Mining Arc, the zone fell under military control. No environmental impact assessment had been taken, and the economy plunged. The government’s plan of bringing in money through mining has been described as “bread today and hunger tomorrow” (Marcello, 2017). Locals/Indigenous people are being negatively impacted by the environmental issues. Deforestation has caused them to live in a smoke-filled environment surrounded by red skies and black clouds. Indigenous land has been burned, which contributes to their extinction. Safety is another issue that Indigenous people living in the Orinoco Mining Belt have to deal with. Dealing with the military interventions leads to corruption, crime, and cyanide . Fire has been used to clear land for crop production and cattle grazing for many years. Farmers located in the Amazon do not have other means to remove vegetation other than burning it, and they are villains to those that do not understand. According to “The Economic Cost of the Use of Fire in the Amazon”, when fire becomes uncontrolled pastures and plantations become destroyed farmers livelihood is affected (Alencar,et.al, 2019).  ​

[progressivemillennial]

In the latest Empire Files @empirefiles, Abby Martin discussed Venezuela with UN Investigator and Human Rights Rapporteur Alfred De Zayas. The 40 minute video is worth your time, but if you don’t have 40 minutes, I’ve transcribed some of the most noteworthy quotes below for your perusal.

De Zayas: “From Iraq to Libya to Venezuela, what usually pre-empts U.S. military intervention is the pretext of a humanitarian crisis. And right now, pretty much everyone speaks with authority about the fact that there is a human rights crisis caused by the Maduro government.”

De Zayas: “If you know a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and in Yemen and in Syria and in Sudan and in Somalia, you wouldn’t say there is a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and at no point when I was walking in the streets in Venezuela did I feel threatened or did I see violence or did I consider that this country was undergoing a humanitarian crisis, but I see human rights more and more being instrumentalized to destroy human rights. There is a weaponization of human rights. I see the rule of law being instrumentalized to destroy the rule of law, and unfortunately the complicity of the mainstream media.”

De Zayas: “What is particularly Machiavellian, what is particularly cynical is to cause an economic crisis that threatens to become a humanitarian crisis. That’s what the United States has done through the financial blockade, through the sanctions. And then say ‘oh, we’re going to offer you humanitarian help.’”

De Zayas: “The solution of the problem is much easier than the Band-Aid of sending some packages of food or of medicine. The solution is in my report. What I told the Human Rights Council is that the financial blockade has had extremely adverse human rights impacts.”

De Zayas: “I am certain that the increase in child mortality, the increase in maternal mortality, the increased death for lack of insulin or anti-retroviral drugs is a direct result of this blockage so that Venezuela has not been able to purchase what its people deserve. It’s not like the government does not want to distribute. It’s that the government is being, through an external economic war, is being asphyxiated, and that was the name of the game.”

De Zayas: “What the United States intended to do was to create a situation whereby the people or the military would topple the government and then the 1% could again come in and could again control the wealth of Venezuela.”

De Zayas: “Sanctions kill.”

De Zayas: “When you deliberately impose sanctions and financial blockades and an economic war that asphyxiates a country’s economy, and thereby make it very difficult for that country to provide the necessary food and medicines to its population, and as a consequence, thousands of people die, you have a case of crime against humanity. But the narrative in the mainstream press completely ignores it.”

Martin: “As usual, the African continent is erased from the dialog. There, 51 countries recognize Maduro. Only one, Morocco, recognized Guaido. Then, there’s Asia and Oceania, where again, only Australia recognized Guaido. The other 33 nations recognize Maduro. Moving on to the Middle East, where staunch U.S. ally Israel is the only country to recognize Guaido. The rest in the region continue to support Maduro’s presidency.” Martin goes on to show that Europe and Latin America are split on who they support.

Martin: “By [saying that the] international community [supports Guaido], they really just mean a minority led by the white imperialist and colonizer nations, erasing non-white nations as members of the international community.”

De Zayas: “We all believe in the rule of law. We all believe in the separation of powers, in checks and balances. This national assembly, since Day 1 when it was elected in 2015, aimed at a parliamentary coup against Maduro. The program was called la salida (the exit).”

De Zayas: “It had been determined at least three deputies—parliamentarians—had been elected through fraud. This was demonstrated, and the Supreme Court was called to make a decision and they instructed the National Assembly as it is foreseen in the constitution of Venezuela to re-run those elections. And this National Assembly was confrontational. It was intransigent. It didn’t want to do that, so it was declared in contempt. So since that moment on, whatever the National Assembly does, has no legal validity in the context of Venezuelan constitutional law. It’s not for us Americans or Swiss or French to say we disagree.”

Martin: “Venezuela’s voting system has more checks and verifications than most countries. A system of voter cards, fingerprints, and more make fraud near impossible.”

Martin: “Surprisingly, it was the opposition who asked the UN to not send observers to the 2018 election, which could have proved alleged voter fraud. The opposition could have actually won that election, but instead they boycotted it. Nobody should run, and nobody should vote.”

Martin: “In the end, Maduro won with 6.2 million votes, which is 31% of eligible voters. This is the same percentage Barack Obama won in the 2008 election.”

De Zayas: “We’ve been talking about fake news, about the ocean of lies that we read in the papers every day. But it’s not just the lies that create the problem. It is the absence of information. When a whole dimension is suppressed, and you do not hear anything about other points of view, sooner or later, you accept the narrative that yes, there is a humanitarian crisis, ergo you need a humanitarian intervention.”

De Zayas: “There is, and has been for a while, a human rights industry. Since 1980 when I joined the office…I’ve had the opportunity of observing the behavior of non-governmental organizations, organizations that started out very, very committed for human rights and really honestly concerned with the suffering of human beings have been bought out. The donors essentially set the music.”

Martin: “The opposition against Maduro is broad and comprised of many factions: moderates, progressives, even some socialists. They oppose Maduro but respect the constitution and democratic process. But the faction currently trying to seize power is the extreme right.”

De Zayas: “What will happen if the coup goes through is that you will have what Naomi Klein called the disaster capitalism forced down the throat of the Venezuelan people. You will have retrogression in the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights. You will have the privatization not only of the oil industry but you will have privatization of gold mining and bauxite mining and coltan mining. They will do away with healthcare, they will do away with subsidized housing, et cetera.”

De Zayas: “Maduro has been asking the opposition for dialog since the elections in 2015.”

De Zayas: “And I told that to members of the opposition. You may topple Maduro, but the 7, 8 or 9 million committed Chavistas are not simply going to roll over. They are not going to disappear. So you may find yourself in the position of a bloody civil war. Do you want that for your people?”