Cuenca
Cuenca Reflections
Effects of Oil on Human Health
Industries such as oil drilling do not just have major effects on the land and animals of the world, but oil exploitation effects humans as well. It is weird to think about because the ones who are drilling the oil are humans and the ones being affected by it negatively are humans. Humans are killing themselves. Oil does not directly harm man, it is the contamination which harms all things. Although focusing on the negative impacts of oil, the devil’s advocate is mentioned in this paper which is the importance of oil. This paper mentions how oil is not just a large fuel source, but a giant commodity all over the world. The issue, however, is the effects it has on humans. It is mentioned that, “In Kuwait, the inhalation of smoke from the burning oil wells during the Gulf War has been associated with a host of health problems. In both the Exxon-Valdez and Deepwater Horizon spills, various psychological health problems have arisen in those living in the surrounding areas. The types of health effects that derive from a given spill depend largely on the area’s level of economic development. The relative speed in which the oil contamination is cleaned up, along with the geographic location of the spill, also impact the consequent health effects.” Some of these health concerns include: serious illnesses arise, water-soil-air are severely tainted by petroleum pollutants which means humans in these areas are getting sicker and sicker.
Ecuadorian Court Fines Chevron
A long-running case had been going on where Amazonias and Indigenous Groups have sewed Chevron, the giant oil company over seventeen billion dollars for contaminating the land of Ecuador. Amazonian residents sued Texaco, which was then purchased by Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into Ecuador's rainforest since the 1970s. Chevron has vowed to appeal, but it has also suggested it will not pay up under any circumstances, calling the ruling "illegitimate and unenforceable." The plaintiffs also say they plan to appeal because the damages are too low. In the Amazon, Chevron has left hundreds of toxic waste pits, and dumped billions of gallons of toxic waste. Even while the case was going on for so many years, these indigenous groups still had to live around this toxic, harmful environment.
Chevron Oil Pollution in Ecuador
As previously mentioned, it is clear that Chevron poisoned Ecuador’s rainforest. Chevron had entered into a contract with Ecuador’s government to drill oil from the basin of the Amazon rainforest. Indigenous groups live off the land and are sick from doing so because of Chevron. When drilling for oil, to “protect the environment”, a tarp must be placed over parts of the land. Chevron did not follow this plan. It destroyed the land and contaminated the area where indigenous groups of Ecuador were bathing, drinking, cleaning. Chevron chose to drain toxic waste water into rivers and streams, as well as, not use the tarp or lining that was necessary so toxic pollutants went into the soil and spread. Chevron destroyed the land of Ecuador and it is still recovering to this day.
Texaco vs. Indigenous People of Ecuador
Ecuador is known for its wealth of oil. Beginning in the 1960s, Texaco came to Northeastern Ecuador to drill for oil. In over twenty three years, Texaco pumped out over one and a half billion barrels of oil. Hundreds of wells were drilled and two to three pits were dug up for each well. A local Amazonian said the pollution leaked into his water well. A superfund expert said Texaco could have never gotten away with this in the United States. So what makes it any different in Ecuador. To me, this is sickening that this company would do such a thing. It is simple to follow protocol and even if it isn’t, it is your job. On top of that, you are destroying land that is not yours and this land cannot be rejuvenated. It is disgusting what this American company did to the lands and people of Ecuador and these Amazonians deserve justice.
Industries such as oil drilling do not just have major effects on the land and animals of the world, but oil exploitation effects humans as well. It is weird to think about because the ones who are drilling the oil are humans and the ones being affected by it negatively are humans. Humans are killing themselves. Oil does not directly harm man, it is the contamination which harms all things. Although focusing on the negative impacts of oil, the devil’s advocate is mentioned in this paper which is the importance of oil. This paper mentions how oil is not just a large fuel source, but a giant commodity all over the world. The issue, however, is the effects it has on humans. It is mentioned that, “In Kuwait, the inhalation of smoke from the burning oil wells during the Gulf War has been associated with a host of health problems. In both the Exxon-Valdez and Deepwater Horizon spills, various psychological health problems have arisen in those living in the surrounding areas. The types of health effects that derive from a given spill depend largely on the area’s level of economic development. The relative speed in which the oil contamination is cleaned up, along with the geographic location of the spill, also impact the consequent health effects.” Some of these health concerns include: serious illnesses arise, water-soil-air are severely tainted by petroleum pollutants which means humans in these areas are getting sicker and sicker.
Ecuadorian Court Fines Chevron
A long-running case had been going on where Amazonias and Indigenous Groups have sewed Chevron, the giant oil company over seventeen billion dollars for contaminating the land of Ecuador. Amazonian residents sued Texaco, which was then purchased by Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste into Ecuador's rainforest since the 1970s. Chevron has vowed to appeal, but it has also suggested it will not pay up under any circumstances, calling the ruling "illegitimate and unenforceable." The plaintiffs also say they plan to appeal because the damages are too low. In the Amazon, Chevron has left hundreds of toxic waste pits, and dumped billions of gallons of toxic waste. Even while the case was going on for so many years, these indigenous groups still had to live around this toxic, harmful environment.
Chevron Oil Pollution in Ecuador
As previously mentioned, it is clear that Chevron poisoned Ecuador’s rainforest. Chevron had entered into a contract with Ecuador’s government to drill oil from the basin of the Amazon rainforest. Indigenous groups live off the land and are sick from doing so because of Chevron. When drilling for oil, to “protect the environment”, a tarp must be placed over parts of the land. Chevron did not follow this plan. It destroyed the land and contaminated the area where indigenous groups of Ecuador were bathing, drinking, cleaning. Chevron chose to drain toxic waste water into rivers and streams, as well as, not use the tarp or lining that was necessary so toxic pollutants went into the soil and spread. Chevron destroyed the land of Ecuador and it is still recovering to this day.
Texaco vs. Indigenous People of Ecuador
Ecuador is known for its wealth of oil. Beginning in the 1960s, Texaco came to Northeastern Ecuador to drill for oil. In over twenty three years, Texaco pumped out over one and a half billion barrels of oil. Hundreds of wells were drilled and two to three pits were dug up for each well. A local Amazonian said the pollution leaked into his water well. A superfund expert said Texaco could have never gotten away with this in the United States. So what makes it any different in Ecuador. To me, this is sickening that this company would do such a thing. It is simple to follow protocol and even if it isn’t, it is your job. On top of that, you are destroying land that is not yours and this land cannot be rejuvenated. It is disgusting what this American company did to the lands and people of Ecuador and these Amazonians deserve justice.