Coltan
Facts everyone should know.
Coltan is the common name for a substance (metallic ore) used in the production of electronic goods - especially mobile phones / computers / DVD players. Tantalum extracted from the Coltan ore is mainly mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where 80% of world reserves are, though the main production is in Australia. It is also mined and produced in Canada, Brazil, China and across Africa, Egypt being the most recent source.
The big expansion in electronic products, especially over the last decade, has brought with it huge demands for Coltan (Tantalum) and resultant price rises for it. Price rises have been followed by a price slump which has been disastrous for local communities in Congo - their farms / local food production in the mean time having been neglected in favour of mining. This has caused and continues to cause a great deal of additional instability in Congo.
Already a highly politically unstable area, a UN report states that Coltan is being smuggled out to pay for militias from Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi as well as income for the military occupation of Congo itself.
Companies such as Nokia, Intel and Ericsson are denying Tantalum from Congo (DRC) is in their products - though the supply lines are so convoluted and murky that it's very hard to keep any track.
In addition to this are the environmental consequences of Coltan mining areas themselves in Congo which threaten the Eastern Lowland Gorillas and their forest habitat. Large craters are dug out in stream-beds by hand (including children). Congo's national parks have suffered by rebels clearing large areas for Coltan mining - the poverty caused by the war meaning that miners / rebels etc. hunt elephants and gorillas for food. In Kahuzi Biega National Park the gorilla population has sunk from 258 to 130.
On a personal note I do own a laptop (and often wish I didn't!) but find my life has not collapsed without either a mobile phone or DVD player.
There is very often a cost paid by the world's poorest, somewhere along the line, for our convenience here in the West.
Old / unwanted mobile phones can be recycled - see www.la21.net/recycling.htm
Marilyn Jones 2007
Keeping Chickens
The chicken revolution
Keeping chickens is something that was often taken for granted just a couple of generations ago. I can certainly remember my grandparents keeping their own chickens as well as growing much of their own food. However, the era of cheap energy and mass-produced food led to a rapid decline in chicken keeping. Thankfully, more and more people are now starting to realise the benefits, especially now that more recent innovations have made keeping your own chickens easier than ever.
We first started keeping chickens two years ago. The motive was simply to have our own eggs and to bring a bit of life to the garden, especially for our two young children. However, we little realised the many advantages that come from keeping chickens. Not only do we have a ready supply of eggs but the quality is immeasurably better than the mass produced battery fare that passes for eggs in most of our supermarkets these days. Additionally, chickens are great recyclers and will eat a host of kitchen scraps. This not only cuts down on waste but helps produce wonderful garden compost. During the peak laying season in spring and summer we have surplus eggs to give to friends and family. Moreover, with food prices soaring and increasing concerns regarding climate change, collecting your own eggs from the garden is an easy way to save money and cut down on food miles.
Although chickens are easy to keep, there are a few things you need to consider beforehand. Foxes can be a problem after dark. In our case we bought the innovative Eglu (www.omlet.co.uk). This is a brilliant design which is really easy to clean and comes with its own run in which to keep the chickens safe at all times although ours normally roam free during the day. This is also good if you are away from home for a few days but for longer periods you will need a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on things and top up the food and water. Ready-made poultry houses are also available via www.forshamcottagearks.com. You will also need to keep chickens away from any vegetables you grow.
However, the many benefits outweigh these concerns. If you would like to know more feel free to contact me (Patrick Cleary) on 0151 632 5366 or email: cleary[at]thephone.coop
See also www.lowimpact.org/topics_poultry.htm
Wirral Development Plan
Wirral Council has sought feedback on its Core Strategy Development Plan which looks at sustainable development issues.
The Green Party's response to this consultation can be read here while our response to the draft consultation report can be read here.
Photo acknowledgement: © Susan Dodd
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