Undeveloped countries still paying

We have been told solar cells, wind turbines and electric cars will allow us to continue our obsession with continually increasing our personal consumption and save the planet as well (Mike Seccombe, “Generally electric”, September 4-10). However, any new technology must have its cons as well as its pros. The mining and refining of cobalt, copper and lithium necessary for these cars is mostly in the commodity and waste frontiers in undeveloped countries. These countries do not have stringent wage, social and environmental policies. What are the chances of anyone from these countries owning an electric car before the rich West takes all their lithium, cobalt and other rare and exotic metals? So when we drive our children 50 metres to school in our two-tonne electric behemoths, signalling our “green” virtues to one and all, spare a thought for the murdered activists, displaced populations and destroyed cultures at the commodity and waste frontiers. – Jeff Lean, Mystery Bay, NSW