BOOK EXCERPT: Cobalt Red: How the blood of the Congo powers our lives
Activist and researcher Siddharth Kara has travelled deep into cobalt territory to document the testimonies of the people living, working and dying for cobalt in Congo.
In Siddharth Kara's investigative exposé, "Cobalt Red," the author delves deep into the cobalt mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, revealing the severe human rights abuses and environmental damage caused by the relentless pursuit of this essential metal. The Katanga region, which holds the world's largest cobalt reserves, is the epicenter of this frantic extraction, with the metal being a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries and various low-carbon innovations.
However, the author highlights the stark contrast between the colonial past of the Congo, where enslaving Africans was deemed acceptable, and the modern era, where human rights are universally recognized and protected. Kara's work serves as a stark reminder of the moral implications of our reliance on cobalt and the exploitation of the Congolese people.
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