Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

Chapter 1.3: Indigenous Peoples, Mining and Climate Change
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chemicals during primary aluminium processing. While such
initiatives are clearly valuable, they are open to criticism by
those who see global warming as a major crisis, rather than a
voluntary management option.
Recycling of aluminium, On average, however, requires
approximately five percent the energy input of primary
production. 19 Recycling of aluminium currently accounts for
around only one third of production. It is tragic that large
amounts of recyclable aluminium and other minerals are still
lost in landfill, while massive investment in primary extraction
from greenfield sites continues.
Aluminium smelters, being an energy intensive process,
are often associated with hydroelectric dams. 20 Although
large hydroelectric projects are often considered as good
for climate change, a decade ago the World Bank-sponsored
World Commission on Dams concluded with a consensus
report severely critical of the record and the potential of such
projects to deliver their promised benefits. The report clearly
identified the mistreatment of indigenous peoples in hydro
projects. Global warming seems to be encouraging the World
Bank and others to overturn the Commission’ conclusions,
turning a blind eye to the negative consequences for the rights
of affected indigenous communities. 21
Fossil Fuel Addiction
While some may think, from current press coverage, that
global policy is now already directed to cutting carbon emissions,
this is sadly incorrect. For example, 2006 was a historical
record year for coal mining in the USA, with a total of 1.161
billion tons mined. According to mining industry projections,
the production of coal will continue to increase for at least the
next 20 years. 22 All scientific evidence shows that this will seriously
contribute to accelerated climate change. In fact, the extraction
and consumption of fossil fuels is still currently on the
increase. Indeed it is the global recession that has so far done
more to cut greenhouse gas emissions than policy reform.