1) Often challenging and sometimes treacherous cobalt mining conditions in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have led to the term “Blood Batteries.” This term
references the human cost incurred to acquire materials needed for Electric Vehicle
(EV) batteries. Question: Identify and describe at least two of the multiple workplace
safety issues that occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “artisanal” mines
producing cobalt needed for EV batteries (4 points)
2) Compare and contrast how DRC mine safety conditions vary versus conditions in more
economically developed and environmentally enlightened nations (such as the USA,
the EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, and many others) (2 points)
3) Explain the reason(s) for weak or non-existent enforcement of Congo’s government
regulations designed to prevent child labor and unsafe mine conditions (2 points)
4) How are the estimated 3 million held as captive workers in China’s Xinjiang Province
multi-industry product supply chain socially connected to each other? (2 points)
5) Why is it acceptable to the government of China to capture 3 million of their own natural
born citizens, then force them to work in the China product supply chain? (2 points)
6) Have major US corporations contributed to the lack of US consumer transparency
regarding social/ethical issues in the renewable energy supply chain? How? (4 points)
7) Has the US government contributed to the lack of US consumer transparency
regarding social/ethical issues in the renewable energy supply chain? How? (4 points)
8) Explain how some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have contributed to the
lack of US consumer transparency regarding social/ethical issues in the renewable
energy supply chain, AND, how some NGOs have increased consumer visibility into the
social/ethical issues in the renewable energy supply chain (4 points)
9) Do any ethics violations occur when those producing Solar Panels, EV Autos, Home
Battery Packs, and Wind Turbine Producers fail to disclose any social/ethical labor
issues in their supply chains? Explain why or why not (4 points)
10) Do any ethics violations occur when Renewable/Green Energy product sellers do not
disclose the detrimental environmental impact caused during mining/extraction of raw
materials needed for renewable products? Explain why or why not (4 points)
11) Are there any ethical issues caused when sellers of solar panels do not disclose that
China’s extensive coal burning required for solar panel production will degrade air quality
in many Western USA states? Explain why or why not (4 points)
12) California’s “Net Metering” (NM) plans shifts utility infrastructure costs away from
those with more economic power (homeowners) towards those with less economic
power (non-homeowners). Homeowners can sell excess solar power to the grid at a
“sweetheart” rate, which can result in a negative electric bill. Consumer groups have
questioned the ethics and fairness of NM formulas. The California Public Utilities
Commission (PUC) has 3 plans in place based upon when you signed up. Question:
Should legacy Net Metering rates be adjusted so that homeowners with solar panels pay
their “fair share” of electric utility infrastructure costs? Explain why or why not. Note that
this will reduce demand to place solar panels on residential homes (2 points)
13) Are there any ethical issues with the Tesla or any other EV license plate frame
claiming, “Zero Emissions”? Explain why or why not (2 points)
Expert Answer
This solution was written by a subject matter expert. It’s designed to help students like you learn core concepts.
1) Two workplace safety issues in DRC’s artisanal cobalt mines include hazardous working conditions in narrow tunnels, leading to the risk of cave-ins, and exposure to toxic substances like cobalt dust, which can cause lung diseases.
2) DRC mine safety conditions often lack regulations and enforcement compared to economically developed nations. Developed nations prioritize safety standards, technology, and worker protection, resulting in safer mining environments.
3) Weak enforcement of regulations in DRC can be due to corruption, lack of resources, and political instability, making it challenging to monitor and enforce labor and safety laws effectively.
4) The estimated 3 million captive workers in China’s Xinjiang Province are socially connected through shared labor conditions and experiences in industries like cotton production, manufacturing, and agriculture.
5) China’s actions in Xinjiang are driven by various factors, including economic interests, control, and ideology. The government’s perspective may not align with international ethical standards.
6) Some US corporations may contribute to a lack of transparency in the renewable energy supply chain by prioritizing cost reduction over ethical sourcing, making it challenging for consumers to access information about labor practices.
7) The US government can contribute to transparency issues by lacking stringent regulations or enforcement mechanisms to ensure ethical practices in the renewable energy supply chain.
8) Some NGOs may inadvertently contribute to transparency issues by not effectively monitoring supply chains, while others actively work to increase visibility by advocating for ethical sourcing and reporting violations.
9) Ethics violations occur when renewable energy product producers fail to disclose labor issues because it conceals potential exploitation and mistreatment of workers in their supply chains.
10) Ethics violations occur when sellers of renewable products do not disclose environmental impacts, as it misleads consumers and hinders informed choices about environmentally friendly products.
11) Ethical issues arise when solar panel sellers do not disclose China’s coal burning impact, as it misrepresents the environmental benefits of solar energy and can harm air quality in affected regions.
12) Adjusting legacy Net Metering rates can be ethical as it promotes fairness in sharing utility infrastructure costs, but it might reduce the incentive for homeowners to invest in solar panels. Balancing fairness and renewable energy adoption is crucial.
13) Claiming “Zero Emissions” on EV license plate frames can be misleading if the electricity used for charging comes from non-renewable sources. It’s essential to ensure accuracy in environmental claims to maintain ethical standards.