Amazon rainforest threatened by new wave of oil and gas exploration

[JohnWxy]

Interested in Land use changes, how about 2/3rds of the Amazon designated for Oil exploration?!?

"The maps showed that in Peru and Ecuador, regions designated for oil and gas projects already cover more than two thirds of the Amazon."



http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/13/conservation.forests

With over 35 multinational companies racing to tap into oil and gas reserves situated in peak biodiversity spots, conservationists urge an environmental impact assessment



Vast swathes of the western Amazon are to be opened up for oil and gas exploration, putting some of the planet's most pristine and biodiverse forests at risk, conservationists have warned.

A survey of land earmarked for exploration by energy companies revealed a steep rise in recent years, to around 180 zones, which together cover an area of 688,000 sq km, almost equivalent to the size of Texas.

Detailed mapping of the region shows the majority of planned oil and gas projects, which are operated by at least 35 multinational companies, are in the most species-rich areas of the Amazon for mammals, birds and amphibians.

Researchers used government information on land that has been leased to state or multinational energy companies over the past four years to create oil and gas exploration maps for western Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia. The maps showed that in Peru and Ecuador, regions designated for oil and gas projects already cover more than two thirds of the Amazon. Of 64 oil and gas regions that cover 72% of the Peruvian Amazon, all but eight were approved since 2003. Major increases in activity are expected in Bolivia and western Brazil.

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What will the ILUC of biofuels be when you properly account for the fact that they will slow the oil development projects such as those above (which have to be cost effective to warrant investment). Since ethanol brings down the price of gas it's going to reduce the number of drilling projects that will be cost effective.

Of course, how valuable is it to save the rainforests? HOw would one cost out the loss of the rainforests?

[GliderGuider]

1. The lands of the Achuar tribe are tight in the middle of this zone

I'm kind of partial to the Achuar, since they prompted the creation of the Pachamama Alliance.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. K&R for more eyeballs nt