The Truth About the Smartphone Supply Chain
The global energy system's transition to electrification relies on batteries containing rare earth minerals sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a supply chain marked by brutality. The control of this supply chain is largely in China's hands, raising questions about its impact on the DRC and whether it constitutes a new form of colonialism.
The 21st century's reliance on batteries for various technologies, including smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, is linked to a supply chain that begins in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC is a source of rare earth minerals crucial for these technologies. The supply chain is described as brutal and has raised concerns among users who identify with green politics. The history of the DRC over the past two centuries and China's significant control over the rare earth supply chain are intertwined, with debates surrounding whether foreign states' activities in the DRC represent development or a new form of colonialism. The supply chain is set to play a critical role in replacing fossil fuels in the 21st century.
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