Article
Dirty Gold: How Activism Transformed the Jewelry Industry
Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries
(2017)
Abstract
"Dirty gold" refers to gold mining practices that contribute to environmental destruction and human rights abuses. Bloomfield (Univ. of Bath) discusses how corporate managers consider risk, compliance costs, corporate culture, and leadership structure in responding to activists who campaign for ethically sourced gold. Case studies from jewelry retailers Brilliant Earth, Tiffany, and Walmart provide examples of significantly different responses to activist organizations such as Earthworks and Oxfam America. The organizations seldom force change but can enhance communication between lead jewelry retailers to incentivize and politically motivate the rest of the industry to source more sustainable mining operations. Ethical jewelers tend to have a social mission that advocates for industry change, raises consumer awareness, and promotes regulatory frameworks associated with mining. Jewelry industry certifications of gold mining practices also can contribute to corporate social responsibility. The book leads to wider debates about global environmental governance based on corporate initiatives. It uses references from leading sustainability-related journals and books. A surprisingly parallel book in the chocolate industry is Squicciarini and Oxford’s The Economics of Chocolate (CH Nov 16, 54-1308).
Publication Date
July, 2017
Citation Information
G. E. Kaupins. "Dirty Gold: How Activism Transformed the Jewelry Industry" Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries Vol. 54 Iss. 11 (2017) p. 1676 - 1676 ISSN: 0009-4978 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gundars_kaupins/79/