The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change

The author describes a series of visits to mining and development sites in South Africa and Kenya, highlighting environmental destruction and human rights violations. The text criticizes the South African government's support for the mining industry and the New Development Bank's funding of coal-fired power plants, while warning against the dangers of geoengineering funded by carbon emitters.

• Mining operations in South Africa, specifically the Tormin mine operated by Australian company Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC), have caused significant environmental damage, including the discharge of tailings directly into the ocean via two large pipes in a crucial biodiversity area.
• In Kilifi County, Kenya, salt mining operations spanning 40 kilometres of coastline have led to the eviction of people, the devastation of livelihoods for small-scale farmers and fishers, and the contamination of water sources for homes and schools.
• The community of Xolobeni on South Africa's Wild Coast has resisted mining plans by Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC) for a decade, securing a Pretoria High Court ruling that Free, Prior and Informed Consent is required before operations begin.
• The author expresses concern over the rise of geoengineering, specifically stratospheric sulfate aerosol injections (SSAI) promoted by Harvard's solar geoengineering programme, noting that such projects are often funded by major carbon emitters to justify continued pollution.
• The New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) has allocated $790 million for three South African projects, including $480 million for Eskom’s Medupi power station, ostensibly for the installation of flue gas desulphurization units to meet environmental laws.
• Despite the global shift toward renewables, Russia and China continue to fund new coal and nuclear plants in South Africa and other African countries.

APA

Martens, C. (2019). The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change. Natural Justice. https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/

Chicago

Martens, Claire. The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change. Natural Justice, 2019. https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Martens |first1=Claire |title=The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change |publisher=Natural Justice |date=18 April 2019 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{martens2019race, author = {Martens, Claire}, title = {{The race to the bottom: we need fundamental change}}, publisher = {Natural Justice}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/the-race-to-the-bottom-we-need-fundamental-change/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }