I saw the film
Blood Diamond the other night on TV. I highly, highly recommend it. It was riveting and inspiring. Yes, horrifying and violent too, but absolutely worth watching. Not only because it depicts an issue of great importance, but also because its a really well-done film. (I worked in film editing for 11 years).
I already knew something of the issue of diamond mining fueling conflict and human rights abuses in Liberia and Sierra Leone. And I knew enough to feel very relieved that diamonds weren't things I ever cared to purchase. (Instead of buying my engagement ring, my husband "purchased" the ring that had belonged to my grandmother from me - by making a donation to a favorite charity. The ring then became his to give.) And that was back in 2000, before the issue of blood diamonds became something the US public was aware of. In fact, it wasn't until 2003 that the Kimberly certification process went into effect - a process that enabled consumers to certify they were purchasing diamonds that were indeed conflict free.
By November 2002, negotiations between governments, the international diamond industry and civil society organizations resulted in the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The KPCS document sets out the requirements for controlling rough diamond production and trade. The KPCS entered into force in 2003, when participating countries started to implement its rules. read more
However, computer electronics... That's a different matter. When I heard that other minerals were essential to building our electronics - I was deeply troubled. I have TONS of electronics!! And honestly, I want more, and I want them cheap! But I certainly don't want them to cost other people their very existence.
So I wanted to know more. And specifically -
what could I do as a citizen to shop and live responsibly? Fortune had a
great article on the matter. I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject. The bottom line is, its true;
"The consumer electronics industry is the largest end user of the minerals that are fueling the fighting in eastern Congo," says John Norris, executive director of the Enough Project, an Africa-focused advocacy group and leader of the coalition. "These companies have an obligation to ensure they are not financing armed groups by demanding more information and better behavior from their suppliers."
And there is already some efforts underway to address the matter.
In Congress, Sen. Sam Brownback is partnering with Sen. Russ Feingold and Sen. Dick Durbin to revise legislation that Brownback introduced last year addressing the issue. Set to be introduced by April 4, the new bill would require companies that use minerals mined in the region to disclose sourcing to the SEC. previously cited
And;
Some companies already have policies on minerals from DR Congo. Motorola (MOT, Fortune 500), Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500), HP (HPQ, Fortune 500), Nokia (NOK) and RIM (RIMM) bar suppliers from selling them Congolese coltan. "Mining activities that fuel conflict are unacceptable," Motorola wrote in response to Enough's request.
HP also said it would work on the issue. "We take very seriously the issue of the social and environmental conditions associated with our electronics industry supply chain," says Judy Glazer, director of HP's global social and environmental responsibility operations.
But even if the companies want to help, it's not easy. There's no certification system for minerals from the region. "Short of banning all minerals coming from the Eastern Congo or coming from Central Africa, it's going to be very difficult to set up a system on the ground that will be able to distinguish between good and bad minerals," says Jason Stearns, a former UN DR Congo investigator....previously sited
It seems this is an issue to keep an eye on. I'm thrilled that Apple has some policies in place and will track to see what more evolves. I'm hoping these beginning efforts become stronger over time and that more businesses step up voluntarily, or feel the pressure, to adopt and publicize similar policies. And as consumers we can take responsibility as well.
There are several simple things we can each do:
- Call our congress members and ask them to support S891 the bill before Congress. (Search on bill no. S891 to read the text.) Use Congress.org to find your Congress Members' contact information. Just type in your zip code in and click GO. Contact your Senators and Representative, give them your address so they know you are a constituent, then ask them to co-sponsor this bill.
- Make a donation to nonprofits like the Enough Project.
- Research electronic companies before making purchases to make sure your purchases are as conflict free as possible.
- Talk about this issue with people you know.
...........
Previous efforts to clean up supply chains have had mixed results. The Kimberley Process, a joint government, industry and nonprofit initiative that certifies shipments of rough diamonds as "conflict-free," was largely successful, now covering most of the world's diamonds. But the chocolate industry's response to criticism over child labor on cocoa farms in West Africa, a voluntary protocol by which companies would wean themselves from child labor, then certify as much, hasn't significantly changed practices in Ivory Coast and elsewhere. previously sited
Entrenched situations such as these don't change overnight and our efforts may never "seem" like they are enough.
The reality is 5 minutes of action, can go a long way when enough people join together. As consumers, we play a vital role in helping shape this issue and others like it. And
we have far more power than we realize.
