Who is Impacted? 

The artisanal miners of the Congo. The Congo mines 70% of the global cobalt used for electric cars, solar panels, phones, etc. while 30% of that cobalt is mined from artisanal minors. People mining toxic chemicals with their hands, and children on their backs. The Congo has been taken over by cobalt mines because of their abundance, which has left them no other choice but to mine cobalt, for about $0.36 a day. Not only are adults impacted by this, but children mine in the tunnels as well.    

What is at stake?

If this is allowed to continue then the clean energy movement would be a lie because it's polluting the air, and water of the Congo just to have technology that's supposed to not pollute the environment. Not only is the environment of the Congo at stake but people's lives, and health are constantly at stake. Not only is cobalt toxic, but the mines these miners work in are very underdeveloped and end up collapsing. Often trapping or killing the people inside. 

Why is now the time?

Because of the 2050 electric car mandate. Once electric cars are mandated then the demand for cobalt will only increase, and so will artisanal mining. If we don't do something to establish rights for artisanal miners then we are allowing human injustice to take place, as long as it makes our lives convenient.