Dirty Gold

"ECO TRIP: THE REAL COST OF LIVING is an eight-part original series exploring the origins and environmental impact of common everyday products. Hosted by eco-adventurer David de Rothschild, whose far-flung travels have garnered international attention, the half-hour primetime program investigates iconic items from cotton t-shirts and paper napkins to salmon and cell phones, and follows their life cycle from production to disposal, revealing the environmental, social and health effects along the way....[and] inspires and educates viewers on what they can do to live a greener life."

Last night, on the Sundance Channel, I came upon this terrific 'green' show called Eco-Trip. I am so happy I did.

Last night's episode focused on the real cost of one gold ring. It appears, ladies and gents, that one single gold ring produces 20 tons of mine waste. Twenty tons! Isn't that absurd? And 65% of all the gold produced here in the U.S. comes from the Shoshone Territory. What is happening - and what continues to happen to American Indians - is abusive and infringes on so many different levels of human rights; this little bit of information was worth the show alone. Lands and water supplies are becoming contaminated by the toxins created to mine this gold. It is putting humans at elevated risks of serious health issues like nerve and kidney failure. And, once these toxins reach the water supply, it is almost impossible to remove.

Tiffany & Co. CEO, Michael Kowalski, commented that "every business has its inconvenient truths." Well, yes, every business that is in the business of blind profit and that glosses over little things like health, human rights, ethics, to name a few. However, we, the consumer, have power to change this. When purchasing a gold item we should request and ask for jewelry that is not made of "dirty gold." Each year, more retailers and jewelers are pledging their support for not being in the business of selling dirty gold as they, themselves, begin to become more environmentally conscious due to the many efforts of No Dirty Gold Org , an organization that each of us should become more familiarized with as well.

So next time you go buy a piece of gold jewelry, ask for one that is not made of "dirty gold." And, in this manner, you are helping to preserve the rights of many and preserving this world for your future generations to come. And, if you have The Sundance Channel, they will be airing this segment again this week so check your local listings and tape. It will be well worth it.