Half of all gold mined between 1995 and 2015 will have been taken from indigenous peoples’ lands, according the "No Dirty Gold" campaign, a joint program of Oxfam International and Earthworks. Much of the "dirty gold" will be mined using techniques that pollute the environment, endanger miners, and violate human rights. Indigenous peoples already suffer disproportionately from these techniques, according to both organizations. The No Dirty Gold campaign is working to raise awareness of gold mining’s pernicious effects, and with the help of consumers, to pressure retailers into purchasing gold that has been mined with respect for the environment and local communities. An Oxfam press release emphasizes that the No Dirty Gold campaign "is not a boycott on gold, but is working to end destructive mining practices, educate consumers about gold mining’s impacts, and build consumer support for industry reform." More than half a dozen retailers have signed onto the campaign. To learn more about the campaign and to sign a petition to end harmful mining practices, go to http://www.nodirtygold.org/.
