Electric car revolution puts Native communities at risk
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The circumstances are perfect for a speedy shift towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. The Biden-Harris government has established a goal aiming for 50 percent of newly bought cars to be electric by 2030. Moreover, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers substantial tax benefits for individuals purchasing electric vehicles and for manufacturers of such vehicles as well.
Lisa Benjamin, who has written a paper titled "EVs as EJ?", which will soon be published in the Harvard Environment Law Review, expresses optimism about the implications of electric vehicles (EVs) for environmental justice (EJ). As an associate professor of law at Lewis & Clark Law School, Benjamin highlights the various benefits that EVs offer in terms of promoting environmental justice. However, she also emphasizes the need for updated mining regulations and increased involvement of Native communities in land-use decision-making processes to prevent potential harm.
Why, you may ask? Well, the surge in the manufacturing of electric vehicles is coinciding with a rise in the extraction of precious minerals found in EV batteries within the country. Numerous minerals required, like lithium and cobalt, happen to be situated in or close to indigenous territories, which hold immense spiritual and cultural significance.
Electric Vehicles And Fairness
The wide acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) plays a vital role in lowering the levels of carbon and other harmful gases that contribute to climate change. The transportation industry is responsible for the highest carbon emissions in the United States.
Based on the findings of the IPCC, it is crucial to achieve a 50 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2050 and a potentially even larger decrease of 91 percent by 2100 in order to meet the internationally agreed upon target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The widespread adoption of electric cars is expected to have a significant impact in accomplishing this reduction.
According to Benjamin's explanation, communities that are predominantly made up of people of color and/or individuals with low-income backgrounds will experience significant advantages from the decrease in gasoline-fueled vehicles. These communities have disproportionately suffered from adverse environmental impacts.
According to Benjamin, who specializes in climate justice and the connection between energy law and administrative law, the implementation of biased regulations resulted in the construction of highways in close proximity to Black and brown neighborhoods. As a consequence, these communities became significantly more susceptible to chronic ailments such as heart disease and diabetes due to increased exposure to air pollution.
Moreover, Benjamin states that financial obstacles and the limited accessibility of charging stations and related facilities are impeding the broader acceptance of electric vehicles among economically disadvantaged households.
According to Benjamin, electric vehicles (EVs) are not priced reasonably, and their cost should be reduced to ensure fair economic treatment for communities that have experienced discrimination.
Mineral Rich Areas By Tribal Lands
In spite of the various ways in which the increased use of electric vehicles is having a beneficial effect, there exist possible adverse consequences.
Based on information provided by the White House, the shift towards clean energy is anticipated to significantly increase the worldwide requirement for crucial minerals used in electric vehicle batteries, including lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel. This surge in demand could be as high as four to six times the current levels.
According to Benjamin's blog post, California's Imperial Valley houses a significant stock of lithium, placing it among the largest worldwide. Additionally, deposits of this valuable resource can be found in Oregon, Nevada, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Arkansas. Interestingly, a notable concentration of nickel, copper, and lithium is situated within a 35-mile radius of Indian reservations.
According to Benjamin, the whereabouts of the deposits are either within the territorial boundaries of indigenous communities or in close proximity to their designated areas.
To avoid causing more damage to Indigenous communities, Benjamin strongly recommends that the Bureau of Land Management implement more stringent rules that forbid mining not only at holy locations within reservations but also in any nearby regions considered culturally significant. One crucial aspect is bringing the 1872 General Mining Act up to date, which Benjamin explains was "enacted in a time of exploring and exploiting the American West."
Benjamin affirms that in the event of reinstating or revising the regulations, there may be an increased opportunity for engaging in discussions with tribes. This holds significant value predominantly in regions that may lie beyond reservation boundaries yet possess cultural significance for tribal communities. The aim is to guarantee that their concerns are thoroughly considered when individuals delve into mining activities for those resources.
Benjamin also suggests that the Bureau of Land Management enhance their approach to involve Native communities more effectively in the agency's decision-making processes.
While Professor Benjamin recognizes that the shift towards increased utilization of electric vehicles is crucial in attaining climate and environmental fairness objectives for numerous underprivileged communities, she emphasizes the significance of questioning: "How can we guarantee that this shift not only brings advantages to these communities but also avoids exacerbating their existing disadvantages?"
Additional details: Lisa Benjamin's research article titled "Electric Vehicles as an Environmental Justice Initiative?" can be found in the SSRN Electronic Journal. The article was published in 2022 and has a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of 10.2139/ssrn.4186374.
Title: The Native Community Faces Perils Amidst the Electric Vehicle Revolution The article titled "Electric car revolution puts Native communities at risk," published on August 9, 2023, discusses the potential dangers faced by Native communities as a result of the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. This piece was retrieved from the online platform Phys.org on August 11, 2023.
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