EVs and Child Slavery

 4/28/26:

This blog entry is regarding the heated "discussion" held a few weeks back in class regarding child slavery in lithium mining. I felt this would be a good opportunity to express my thoughts regarding this situation. The nitty-gritty and harsh truth is, that I believe the lithium needed to produce EV batteries is a necessary evil. Progress historically has been fueled on the backs of the lower class, and other groups of underprivileged communities. Does this mean I support child slavery? Absolutely not, that's an absurd conclusion to reach. I in no way believe child slavery is okay; however, I don't think we can halt global progress in the green energy transition due to how lithium is mined. Instead, I suggest that first-world countries need to hold transnational corporations and third-world countries accountable for the ethical sourcing of lithium and other resources needed for EV production. With constant pressure being put on these countries and corporations, I believe we can make massive strides in human rights and protections for children in these mines. In the same way, we have seen in every European Country and in the United States. 

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