Critical minerals are oil of 21st century' as demand fuels poverty and pollution in poorer countries

"Critical minerals are quickly becoming the oil of the 21st century. What we are selling as a solution to sustainability is actively hurting people somewhere else in the world. How can we then call the transition green or clean?"

"The production of rare earths almost tripled between 2010 and 2023 as demand for electric vehicles and powerful computer chips has soared. While EVs may reduce emissions by consumers in North America and Europe, the environmental and health costs are borne by communities far away."

The demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel is leading to severe environmental and health issues in vulnerable communities. Water supplies are being drained, agriculture is eroding, and communities are exposed to toxic heavy metals. In 2024, 456 billion liters of water were used to extract lithium, with little financial benefit reaching affected areas. While electric vehicles may reduce emissions in developed regions, the negative impacts are felt in mining regions, particularly in Africa and Latin America, where waste generation from rare-earth production is substantial.

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