Trade-Offs

What comes first: environment, economic or social?

In our attempts to become more environmentally friendly and reduce our carbon emissions, the solar industry has exploded.  However, 95% of solar panels globally are made using solar-grade polysilicon and 45% of that material is coming from the Uyghur Region. There have been numerous reports that the Chinese government is subjecting indigenous Uyghurs to systematic forced labour. A report from Sheffield Halam University found that many solar energy companies from around the world have supply chains linked to this forced labour. There are many interwoven issues highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goals. How do we decide which ones are more important, or more urgent, than others? Which end up taking priority?

+ What comes first and how can we have this discussion with students?