The Global Impact of Metal-Mining Pollution on 23 Million People
A new study has revealed that the transition to 'green' energy has resulted in devastating environmental impacts, with tens of millions of people exposed to toxic water runoff from metal mining. The study found that 23 million people worldwide, along with livestock, farmland, and rivers, have been contaminated by mining's toxic byproducts seeping into the water. The mining of rare earth elements essential for green technologies has also led to lawsuits against major tech firms for child slavery in the Congo. The researchers developed a comprehensive database mapping contaminated river systems and floodplains, highlighting the widespread damage caused by mining. The study emphasizes the need for environmental sustainability in modern mining practices.