Latest news with #MatthewBaird
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Leaked documents reveal alleged cover-up of poison in water supply — here are the details
A nickel mining company in Indonesia is facing serious heat after leaked documents revealed they "did not disclose" polluting the local water supply with a cancer-causing chemical. The Guardian recently reported that the Harita Group allegedly lied about contaminating drinking water on the remote Obi Island with unsafe levels of hexavalent chromium (Cr6), the same chemical associated with Erin Brockovich in the 1990s. Cr6 is known to cause cancer, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, targeting the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes. In Indonesia, the world's largest supplier of nickel, the maximum contaminant level of Cr6 legally allowed in drinking water is 50 parts per billion (ppb). An initial investigation by the Guardian in 2022, however, found the contaminant levels in a nearby village exceeding 60 ppb, which Harita disproved with its own lab results. However, the leaked documents revealed that just one day after releasing a statement, Harita found that the spring water did not meet Indonesian water quality standards and found even higher contamination values in the following days. Nickel production has become a booming business, as it is a crucial component of electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. However, the push for more technology that is kinder to the environment requires an upfront manufacturing process that releases harmful carbon dioxide. While material suppliers want to meet growing demand, they must ensure they are doing the least harm possible during this process to offset the initial environmental impact of nickel production. By neglecting the responsibility of keeping drinking water clean, the Harita Group has undermined the value of the clean technology it supplies. Unfortunately, Cr6 contamination is not an uncommon occurrence. In the U.S., there have been recent incidents of company neglect leading to unsafe drinking water. Harita has yet to respond to the claims posed by The Guardian, but environmental experts say the new information should be taken seriously by the company and the Indonesian authorities. Environmental attorney Matthew Baird noted that while nickel production is crucial to a healthier planet, ensuring fair mining practices for the sake of nearby communities is a vital element of that effort. "Nickel is meant to be one of the transition metals [toward a more sustainable economy] and we require a just transition to ensure the protection of the environment, human rights, and the community," Baird said, per The Guardian. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Women Make Gains In AI, But Roadblocks Remain
Gender-neutral AI? It's well understood that women have been, and continue to be, underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Will the rise of artificial intelligence change or exacerbate this equation? That's the question put forth in a recent paper published by the World Economic Forum in conjunction with LinkedIn. "As AI accelerates, economies capturing diverse talent will gain a competitive edge," according to the report's team of co-authors, including Matthew Baird of the LinkedIn Economic Graph Research Institute and Silja Baller of the World Economic Forum. The AI talent landscape has been evolving with more women acquiring AI-related skills, the report suggests. However, while women's participation has grown to nearly one-third of the tech workforce, retention remains a challenge. 'Men are overrepresented at every career stage, especially in the STEM C-suite,' the report states. There is a pronounced drop-off rate for women in technology careers. 'A larger cohort of female STEM graduates entered STEM employment every year,' the report states. 'However, their retention is not as promising. The first year in the workforce carries a significant drop off for women in STEM employment: women graduating in 2017 accounted for 36% of STEM graduates, but only 30% of STEM job entrants in 2018.' In addition, 'women are more likely to hold roles disrupted by genAI' and less likely to experience the oft-promised 'augmentation' of their skills, data out of LinkedIn suggests. The authors identify the three types of genAI impact, noting that women tend to work in occupations 'with less potential to be augmented by GenAI compared to men,' the report states. These differences include the following: Still, there appears to be progress in women's involvement in AI transformation, the report suggests. 'LinkedIn data shows female AI talent on the platform has expanded significantly between 2018 and 2025, and the gender gap in AI talent has narrowed in 74 of 75 economies. Underreporting could hint at a larger female AI talent pool." Attaining industry leadership is another challenge. "In 2024, women held 24% of STEM managerial positions in STEM but only 12% of STEM C-suite level roles, the report states. Women's representation in non-STEM roles stood at 40% at the managerial level and 24% in executive leadership."
