16 of 33

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

Inevitably, as Peru develops and grows it is going to require greater energy resources. Having destroyed many of our own rain forests and natural parklands, it is not conceivable to prevent developing countries from using their resources; instead we embellish the only remaining forests and intend to prohibit them from accessing their own resources. We cannot retrieve ecosystems that we have driven to extinction; however redeveloping forests is another argument. By minimising detrimental impacts and by increasing safety standards thus actively protecting local cultures and the natural environment, reasonable developments can be established. These measures cost money which creates less incentive for commercial groups. So be it. To make money it is necessary to spend it. The essential overall costs involved here are not only monetary. Developed countries and mining companies gain enormous profits from projects such as the Camisea pipelines. As we have exhausted our own rain-forests and have destroyed natural habitats thus we depend on developing nations, such as Peru to provide us with further resources.

In the argument of environment versus commercialism someone will inevitably lose the battle. Many foreign and U.S companies exploiting natural resources such as in the Camisea River project, offer minimal benefits and leave unfulfilled promises to the local governments and people. This is what is occurring in Peru at present. As the government depends on foreign companies due to their lack of resources to develop alone, they receive a small percentage from resources obtained. Do US environmental standards purport the power to change this? We must keep these commercial projects accountable. The role of monitoring our planet's fragile ecosystems can not solely rely on U.S environmental standards. In our plight to protect the Amazon and the fragile eco systems of our environment, it is all too easy to point the finger at the mining companies and environmental standards short falls. A more active involvement and solution begins in reflecting on how our everyday behaviours affect our environment. In the end we all use energy resources; we are the consumers at the top of the chain.

Learn more about this author, Stephanie Whybrow.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Should US environmental standards apply when multinational companies develop the petroleum resources of fragile ecosystems such as Peru's Amazon??
We want to hear your view. Write now!