A grim paradox of the climate era: To prevent worst-case warming scenarios, we're at risk of accepting unconscionable abuse. That's the conclusion of a @climate investigation into deep links between the global solar boom and China's repression of Xinjiang. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-xinjiang-solar/

Let's take a look inside this investigation. China produces almost all of the world's polysilicon, the raw material for solar panels. Four factories in Xinjiang, center of China’s crackdown on Uyghurs, account for half of the supply. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-xinjiang-solar/

The position of China's government is that everyone is welcome to visit the polysilicon factories Xinjiang and put the lie to allegations of forced labor. So @climate decided to go and see for ourselves. https://twitter.com/Quicktake/status/1381838767934349313?s=20

We also worked with Adrian Zenz, the leading outside researcher into allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang. His findings have already led to embargoes on cotton from the region. The raw material for solar panels could very well be next. https://twitter.com/adrianzenz/status/1381951334371315715?s=20

Even with outside researchers and @climate reporters door-knocking at factories, the truth is clear: China doesn't want the world to see how polysilicon is made. The solar surge that's one of the best hopes against warming remains cloaked in secrecy. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-xinjiang-solar/

In the end, thanks to this strict regime of unknowing, you can't be sure if the solar panels on your roof have been made by the equivalent of modern-day slavery. To the contrary, the assumption should be that all panels are touched by Xinjiang. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-xinjiang-solar/

This investigation is the work of a big team of @business journalists, put together over months. It's a centerpiece of the next @climate magazine and the subject of a new @Quicktake documentary. Please check it out. https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2021-xinjiang-solar/