Don't phone it in

Most of the electronics we use every day, such as laptops, cell phones and DVD players, are manufactured with tantalum, tungsten and gold, AKA “conflict minerals.” When these minerals are mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) it's often through forced or child labor.

Praxis Mutual Funds and Everence Financial launched an email campaign last week which calls on electronics manufacturers and retailers to “pursue ways to end the conflict minerals industry.” The campaign invites customers of the four major cell phone providers (AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and Verizon) to email the companies and express their concern over the use of conflict minerals in their cell phones.

“The illicit trade of conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo supports armed groups and perpetuates cycles of death, rape and violence,” the email states.

“As a top mobile network operator in the United States, you have significant influence over the phones purchased under your mobile plans,” continues, “As a consumer, I want to purchase conflict-free phones and devices, and I encourage your company to take a leadership role in making this a reality.”

"To our knowledge, nobody has worked with the major cell service providers Mark Regier, Director of Stewardship Investing for Everence Financial told Social Funds. "Four companies today control 80 percent of the market. We wanted to bring them into the conversation because well over a majority of Americans get their cell phones through their service providers.”