We have talked at length about the environmental cost of resource consumption at the hands of the IT industry. However, the true price is often paid by communities that are “put to work” in developing countries to meet manufacture demand. Whilst pay is poor by western standards, it is often the best source of income for the most vulnerable communities. Therefore, throwing money at this problem is not a viable solution. There needs to be wider consideration for meeting short term needs, whilst investing in longer term solutions such as better education provision to keep children out of mines without creating a “void” in family income.
To reverse the harm caused to people and the environment by manufacturing pollution and the extraction of our planet’s natural resources
First published: 27th February 2018
