If we’re going to talk about carbon footprint of Crypto mining — how about lithium and cobalt mining, both of which use child labor

Here’s a short quote from an article recently released by the guardian:

“In the case of cobalt, 60% of the world’s supply comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where large numbers of unregulated mines use children as young as seven as miners. “

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/03/child-labour-toxic-leaks-the-price-we-could-pay-for-a-greener-future

I find it pretty hypocritical to use stats and data to condemn Bitcoin mining because it might have some miners using electricity from coal. There are tons of downsides to the supposedly clean energy route that requires the most powerful batteries that have ever been built. It seems like people are cherry picking whichever evil they like to make themselves look better.

Let’s not forget the child exploitation that is facilitating the current battery boom, mainly in lithium and cobalt mines in Africa. Let’s put a bright light on this evil and ask for more transparency and honesty when talking about carbon footprint.