The Amazon Rain forest is endeared to us all as 'the Lungs of the Earth'. We embrace the enormous, serene expanse of Amazon rain forest as a treasure of our own. But to whom does it really belong? Who has the right to inhabit it, mine it, develop it or protect it? Whose environmental standards and values should apply in deciding its future? The question has been asked: Should US environmental standards apply when multinational companies develop the petroleum resources of fragile ecosystems?

In exploring the developments and impacts of gas and oil mining developments currently taking place in the Amazon forests of Peru, we note firstly that the head of these developments is Hunt Oil a US company. Hunt Oil is also accompanied by various other international companies involved in constructing and servicing a Natural Gas pipeline. Then perhaps the answer is yes, in this case these companies should be kept accountable to US environmental standards.

From a ground view, more than two hundred different indigenous groups inhabit the Amazon rain forest region. To date many of these communities have had little or no external associations with the 'outside world'. They live independently, in harmony with their surroundings, surviving by using age-old skills, fishing and hunting. Today commercialism and energy needs, which these cultures have long preceded, are threatening the indigenous way of life. Damages and impacts on the ecosystem from mining developments are beyond question. In this case the ecosystem is particularly fragile. Once it is gone it can never be replaced. Perhaps another relevant question is: is this destruction compensated by the influx of new technology and natural resources such those made available to other social populations of Peru and abroad?
On a national scale the development of the Camisea River gas pipelines means greater independence and a locally based energy source for Peru. Peru will benefit (or is said to) from cleaner transport technology and utilising their own natural resources provided by the Camisea River Pipeline Project. Other benefits sold by the commercial producers are: more accessible electricity, internet, television, and connection to indigenous communities, closer contact with the 'outside world'. All benefits are expected to lead to wide education and greatly improved trading in the global markets. Change is certain, benefits will be measured by perspective.

The Camisea River is becoming badly polluted by soil

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