To Live in Cuenca, Ecuador For a citizen of the United States, retiring in Ecuador may be the key to living a high-quality life at a low cost. The currency and electricity both match what is standard in the U.S. Cuenca, a city in Ecuador has cheap and efficient transportation. Cuenca also has a surplus of internet cafes. People from the U.S. who visit Cuenca feel that the citizens are very friendly as well. While Ecuador does not necessarily have all the typical amenities that a region in the U.S. would the cost of living in a city like Cuenca is very cheap. Overall, to someone looking to relocate to more efficiently spend money, Ecuador is a bargain with a high quality of life.
Documenting life in Yasuni National Park Yasuni (and the Amazon) is considered one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet. Unfortunately, the oil industry is threatening this National Park. To spread awareness of the biodiversity in this region teams are working to photograph and document all of the species in the rain forest. Since some animals, specifically mammals, are very wary of humans photographers have to set up camera traps. In addition to wildlife being threatened by the oil industry, the natives of this area are threatened as well.
The conflict between oil companies and native tribes in the Amazon jungle Within Ecuador’s rain forest, there is a plethora of life including wildlife and native tribes. The way of life of these tribes is being threatened by oil extraction in the rain forest. These tribes are dedicated to living a lifestyle that involves no modern technology and emphasizes a meaningful connection with nature. Some tribes are prepared to fight because they want to protect their culture and land. Due to the high demand for oil from other countries like the United States, Ecuador continues to increase its extraction rate, encroaching on the land of rain forest tribes. Oil production causes major disruptions to the forest by establishing new roads, contaminating groundwater through spills, and killing insects with open flames. Since over 50% of Ecuador’s revenue comes from oil extraction many officials do not want to reduce oil extraction just to save rain forest tribes. Many tribes feel like they have no choice but to try to fight for their land. Culture and the environment are severely at risk from oil extraction in Ecuador’s rain forest.
Amazon deforestation Although rain forests cover only a very small percentage of the Earth they are home to almost all of its plant and animal species. The Amazon rain forest is one of the world’s largest natural resources. It provides 20% of the planet’s oxygen and ⅕ of the freshwater. However, resource extraction has decimated the land. Ranchers who clear the land to raise cattle are a large cause of deforestation. Logging is also another cause of deforestation and it makes the rain forest more susceptible to fires which can harm the forest. Unfortunately, activities such as ranching are subsidized by the government in some regions so there is little incentive to reduce or stop the environmental harm. There are organizations that extract resources in a more sustainable manner like the FSC, and it is important consumers are aware and make eco-conscious choices.
The case against Chevron in the pollution of the Ecuador rainforest Chevron, an oil company apart of the Texaco brand, began oil extraction in Ecuador during the 1960s. Ecuador is home to the rainforest of the Amazon and is known as a “Megadiverse” country. In addition to an abundance of wildlife, Ecuador has many native tribes. Unfortunately, due to Chevron using unsafe extraction techniques the wildlife and natives are at severe risk from oil contamination in their water, soil, and air. Contamination near oil extraction sites is widespread due to Chevron’s improper extraction techniques. Although Chevron followed safe extraction techniques in America and knew of the consequences improper extraction may have, the company blatantly disregarded this protocol in Ecuador. The contaminated area in Ecuador is about the size of the US state of Rhode Island. In Ecuador, many natives are dying from drinking contaminated water which Chevron claimed was just now enriched with more “healthy minerals. One of the main causes of water pollution in Ecuador was Chevron dumping toxic water which was a waste product of oil refining, into rivers and streams. Additionally, waste pits were not lined with a protective liner and the leftover waste product in the pits was also left to drain out into the rivers and streams. When natural gas was released during the extraction process, Chevron did not properly capture the gas but rather burned the gas creating air pollution. It is estimated that between 16-18 billion gallons of toxic waste were dumped in Ecuador by Chevron. All of the improper protocol which led to contamination had devastating health effects. The “minerals” in the contaminated water were actually Petroleum Hydrocarbons which have many negative health effects such as brain damage, kidney disease, and blood poisoning. Cancer rates in contaminated regions are 30% higher than normal.
It is clear that Chevron disregarded proper protocol to increase their profit margin. Chevron after contaminating Ecuador against their legal contract, hid evidence of oil spills and destroyed incriminating records. A lawsuit was filed against Chevron by a group of affected individuals. At first, the case was being reviewed in New York (U.S.). Unfortunately, the trial was ultimately held in Ecuador. This was problematic because Chevron had cut a deal with the Ecuadorian government. However, the Ecuadorian court did find Chevron guilty. Chevron is refusing to pay any fines and is launching a green washing campaign to protect its image.
Chevrons hidden tapes Hidden tapes have revealed that Chevron sent employees to check the sites in the Amazon that they claimed to have cleaned up. These employees were sent to survey the sites in preparation for a judicial inspection. After taking multiple soil samples the employees continued to find petroleum residue in addition to a pit of crude oil. Chevron interviewed people who live close to allegedly cleaned contaminated areas, even after twenty years the contaminated site still affects the environment. Those who live close to contaminated sites are forced to drink contaminated water and have experienced their children and livestock dying.
Effects of Oil on Human Health Worldwide, oil is a major export. It is a valuable commodity that many societies have become heavily dependent on. The United States alone consumes 20 million barrels of oil per day. The oil industry is very prosperous due to this high demand. Not only is the industry wealthy but it is powerful as well. Unfortunately, this power has allowed oil companies to continually cause damage to both humans and the environment. Oil extraction contaminates water, soil, and air. Regions that are the most affected by oil contamination are typically developing countries with little resources to combat the contamination. Ecuador is a prime example of a developing country plagued by oil extraction and contamination. There are many examples of oil extraction resulting in widespread contamination. In many countries, the oil industry accounts for 50% or more of the GDP. However, even though this industry creates profits that can be used for beneficial social programs the environmental damage seems to outweigh the benefits. The Exxon-Valdez oil spill, BP oil spill, Kuwait oil contamination, Niger Delta oil spills, and Ecuador oil contamination are all examples of how the oil industry is dangerous to human health. The research paper “The Health Effects of Oil Contamination” compares all of the documented health effects of oil spills on the human population in these five regions. This research shows negative health effects such as increased chance of cancer, respiratory problems, birth defects. Psychological health effects also occur in oil spill sites, individuals experience increased stress, anxiety, etc. The research paper not only catalogs these negative health effects but also proposes recommendations for further research into the health effects of oil contamination and exposure.
Ecuadorian Court fines Chevron $17B for oil pollution Chevron was fined over 17 billion dollars by the Ecuadorian courts for widespread oil contamination. Chevron fought for many years for this trial to be held in Ecuadorian courts, and it was evidence collected by the company itself that is being used against them. Chevron is refusing to pay this fine. Additionally, the plaintiffs feel that the fine is not large enough compared to the damage done. The oil extraction caused water contamination. Water contamination is significant because it affects a very large range of individuals as water flows downstream. However, Chevron has no property in Ecuador that could be seized as a form of forced payment and refuses to pay. This court case is important because it is the first time a large corporation is being held accountable for human rights violations in a court in a South American country.
Texaco vs Indigenous people of Ecuador About 30,000 indigenous people of Ecuador are directly affected by the oil pollution caused by Chevron in Ecuador. Chevron disregarded the safety protocols that they followed in the U.S. The company does not value the lives of those in Ecuador because it does not affect their profits. The people living in the Amazon have successfully brought the case to court but Chevron has yet to pay the fines they owe. This court case can act as a precedent for future cases so it is important that Chevron is held accountable for their actions.