On the Impact of Oil Exploration in the Amazon
In the 60's, an oil company called Chevron began extracting oil from the Amazon basin. By doing so, the company committed a horrendous act against the environment, destroying rainforest and polluting the rivers, both of which are used by the indigenous people to survive. Usually, extreme safety measures are taken to prevent any toxins or waste from entering the environment. The waste would be stored until it was able to be taken away safely and disposed of properly. These practices were standard, even many years before Chevron entered Ecuador to drill.
But for some reason, these standards were not met when drilling happened in Ecuador, even though they were used in the United States. This time, Chevron installed pipes that drained the toxic waste into rivers and streams in the Amazon. Ground water and soil was also contaminated because the company didn't line their waste pits. Then Chevron set the waste on fire to get rid of it, releasing toxic chemicals into the air. 16-18 billion gallons of toxic waste was dumped into the Amazon while the indigenous people used the water for bathing, fishing, and drinking.
Chemicals found in the water are known to cause any number of ailments, including but not limited to kidney, liver, and brain damage, blood poisoning, respiratory problems, cancer, birth defects, and death. The amount of these chemicals found in the water supply was much greater than the allowable amount according to United States regulations. Childhood cancers run rampant, thousands of people expected to contract cancer within the next decade.
All of this damage was done because Chevron was worried only about making money, not protecting the Amazon's delicate ecosystem and indigenous peoples. In their contract with the country, they were legally obligated to extract with modern technology and use proper precautions to protect the Amazon. Somehow they believed they'd never get caught. The company went as far as to lie to the local people, concerned about the pollution, telling them the water had vitamins and minerals in it. Employees were instructed to hide any evidence of oil spills.
When Los Afectados ("the affected ones") banded together to file a lawsuit against Chevron, the company promised to repair a small area of polluted land. They covered the area with dirt without removing any of the toxic chemicals. The toxins remained in the water and soil. Chevron even faked a study that supposedly showed they had effectively cleaned the environment.
In 2011, it was decided that Chevron was to pay Ecuador $18 billion to clean the areas they had polluted. But the company refuses to pay them anything. Today, Chevron posts ads that imply they care about the safety and health of the areas in which they drill. But we know the truth. Chevron has not owned up to the damage caused in Ecuador because they are most concerned with making money, not doing the right thing by helping the thousands of lives they impacted. When the court began using scientific studies proving their guilt, Chevron attacked the court by saying it was biased. Chevron even tried to bribe the judge using a spy. The spy was removed from Ecuador.
Large oil companies like Chevron have the money and resources to abuse small countries and vulnerable people like the indigenous people of Ecuador. The damage caused by their unsustainable practice has caused huge amounts of damage, in health and to the environment. The list of fraud committed goes on and on. Worst of all, Chevron still denies they have done anything wrong.
But for some reason, these standards were not met when drilling happened in Ecuador, even though they were used in the United States. This time, Chevron installed pipes that drained the toxic waste into rivers and streams in the Amazon. Ground water and soil was also contaminated because the company didn't line their waste pits. Then Chevron set the waste on fire to get rid of it, releasing toxic chemicals into the air. 16-18 billion gallons of toxic waste was dumped into the Amazon while the indigenous people used the water for bathing, fishing, and drinking.
Chemicals found in the water are known to cause any number of ailments, including but not limited to kidney, liver, and brain damage, blood poisoning, respiratory problems, cancer, birth defects, and death. The amount of these chemicals found in the water supply was much greater than the allowable amount according to United States regulations. Childhood cancers run rampant, thousands of people expected to contract cancer within the next decade.
All of this damage was done because Chevron was worried only about making money, not protecting the Amazon's delicate ecosystem and indigenous peoples. In their contract with the country, they were legally obligated to extract with modern technology and use proper precautions to protect the Amazon. Somehow they believed they'd never get caught. The company went as far as to lie to the local people, concerned about the pollution, telling them the water had vitamins and minerals in it. Employees were instructed to hide any evidence of oil spills.
When Los Afectados ("the affected ones") banded together to file a lawsuit against Chevron, the company promised to repair a small area of polluted land. They covered the area with dirt without removing any of the toxic chemicals. The toxins remained in the water and soil. Chevron even faked a study that supposedly showed they had effectively cleaned the environment.
In 2011, it was decided that Chevron was to pay Ecuador $18 billion to clean the areas they had polluted. But the company refuses to pay them anything. Today, Chevron posts ads that imply they care about the safety and health of the areas in which they drill. But we know the truth. Chevron has not owned up to the damage caused in Ecuador because they are most concerned with making money, not doing the right thing by helping the thousands of lives they impacted. When the court began using scientific studies proving their guilt, Chevron attacked the court by saying it was biased. Chevron even tried to bribe the judge using a spy. The spy was removed from Ecuador.
Large oil companies like Chevron have the money and resources to abuse small countries and vulnerable people like the indigenous people of Ecuador. The damage caused by their unsustainable practice has caused huge amounts of damage, in health and to the environment. The list of fraud committed goes on and on. Worst of all, Chevron still denies they have done anything wrong.