Cobalt Red: How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives

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This New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller, shortlisted for the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year Award, offers a powerful investigation into the human rights abuses tied to cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Siddharth Kara, an activist and researcher, delves into the harrowing realities faced by those living and working in cobalt-rich regions, sharing their testimonies. His research takes him into militia-controlled mining areas, where he uncovers the brutal conditions under which cobalt is extracted, often involving children and impoverished workers. Cobalt, a critical component in lithium-ion batteries that power our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, is predominantly sourced from the Congo, where around 75 percent of the world's supply is mined. The book highlights the stark reality that billions of people rely on these technologies, inadvertently contributing to a cycle of human rights and environmental crises. Kara emphasizes the moral responsibility we all share regarding the exploitation occurring in the Congo, urging readers to recognize their connection to these global issues. This crucial exposé calls for awareness and action in the face of such profound injustices.