The state of California (United States) must eliminate or significantly reduce the consumption of oil extracted from the Amazon rainforest to protect the ecosystem, vital to curbing the effects of climate change, from further degradation, said two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in a report.
US Energy Information Administration import data and shipping records helped Stand.earth and Amazon Watch to conclude that 50% of the oil produced in the Amazon goes to California.
About one in nine gallons of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel pumped in California is tied to the rainforest.
“California refineries, businesses and consumers are playing a huge role in consuming oil from one of the most biodiverse regions in the Amazon basin.”The groups said in their joint report.
Scientists say that protecting the Amazon rainforest is vital to slowing climate change due to the large amount of greenhouse gases that the forest absorbs.
Ecuador is the source of 89% of the oil that flows from the Amazon, according to the report, and recorded a primary forest loss of 19,101 hectares in 2020, the highest level in at least two decades, according to Amazon Conservation’s MAAP program, based on data from the University of Maryland.
Although most of the deforestation in Ecuador is caused by agriculture, oil activity requires roads and infrastructure for its development, which fragment the jungle and generate further destruction, according to the report.
The Waorani indigenous community of Ecuador has struggled for decades to defend themselves from oil exploitation in their territory, which is one of the most diverse environmental areas in the country, but also with significant oil reserves.
“The extraction of oil in the jungle has left us pollution, disease, death and extreme poverty in our communities”, Declared Nemo Andy Guiquita, a community leader Waorani, wondering why the government expanded protection in the Galapagos Islands by creating a new marine reserve, but not in the rainforest.
President Guillermo Lasso is determined to increase the production of crude from Ecuador to one million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of his mandate to reactivate the economy, with liquidity problems, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Oil activity in the Andean country must comply with strong environmental regulations and the government is working to reduce emissions from oil and gas projects, Ecuador’s energy ministry said.
“Both the State, natural and legal persons, as well as communes, communities, peoples and nationalities have the legal obligation to respond for the damages or environmental impacts that they have caused.”He added in an email.
Although America’s most populous state has an aggressive plan to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Stand.earth and Amazon Watch say they should also develop a policy to discourage the use of oil from biologically sensitive areas.
“It has to be something that state and corporate leaders chart a path for“Stand.earth researcher Angeline Robertson told Reuters because consumers cannot know where the gasoline they use comes from.
Both environmental groups said they shared their demands and findings with the administration of California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
His administration has set bold goals to reduce oil demand, the California Environmental Protection Agency noted, citing $ 15 billion worth of investments in climate initiatives.
“We cannot sacrifice the habitability of our planet or the survival of vulnerable indigenous communities for a dying industry”He added.
.
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
