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Oil – A case study of International Environmental Justice

Oil – A case study of International Environmental Justice. Carolyn Stephens Senior Lecturer in Environment & Health Policy London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Profesora Titular, Universidad Nacional de Tucum án, Argentina. Dear Editor….

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Oil – A case study of International Environmental Justice

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  1. Oil – A case study of International Environmental Justice Carolyn Stephens Senior Lecturer in Environment & Health Policy London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Profesora Titular, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina

  2. Dear Editor… “Why do environmentalists only give us problems and not solutions…I am getting sick of their pessimism. Why can’t they invent an aeroplane which runs on water?” • Annoyed of London 2007 Holloway Road London 2007

  3. This discussion • What is EJ now • International EJ and Oil • Impacts – who benefits, who gets hurt? • Policies • Challenges

  4. What is Environmental Justice? • “The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, national origin or educational level with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulation and policies.” USEPA 1994

  5. Oil – changing dimensions of Injustice? • Scale • Nationally • Regionally • Internationally • Generations • Within • Between • Social/political • Education/class • Ethnicity

  6. Impacts Isolated indigenous communities in Latin America Ecosystems Future Generations Benefits Household Oil users Transport Energy Domestic products Economy Industry Transport Oil – the distribution of justice

  7. More energy not less • The modern energy supply has liberated us from worrying about where energy comes from. Electricity at the flip of a switch has freed us to concentrate our own human energy on more novel plans. But for many environmentalists today this itself is the problem. What if those novel plans include flying the world, which might disrupt fragile ecosystems or destroy local cultures? • Joe Kaplinsky The Future of Energy http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/debates/rcuk_article/2216/

  8. Net imports of Energy

  9. Projected non-OPEC oil production 1999-2020 Energy Information Administration US Government 2002

  10. http://www.ukooa.co.uk/issues/economic/econ01/econ01_contribution.htmhttp://www.ukooa.co.uk/issues/economic/econ01/econ01_contribution.htm

  11. Oil and Transport - Scotland on Energy Energy consumption by sector - Scotland 2002 Energy Use by Fuel Type - Scotland 2002 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/06/13161455/1

  12. The scale of the issue: Oil, Gas and Health studies in Latin America • Studies first in Ecuador (2001) then Peru (2003- present) • 2001 - Ecuadorian communities sue Texaco • 2004-date Companies try and destroy the studies… • 2003 Nanti study on impacts from Gas-oil exploitation in Peru • 2005 60 scientists defend LSHTM studies • 2006 Peruvians ask for help from LSHTM to sue the global consortium

  13. Timelines • 1992-6 Community studies in the Amazon • 1997 Miguel approaches LSHTM • 1999 Yana Curi • 2000- 2005 studies published in peer reviewed journals • 2005 Scientists recruited to discount evidence in context of court case in Ecuador

  14. Yana Curi (San Sebastian Chasco 2001) • Spontaneous abortions in women 15-45 in “comunidades contaminada” • Results: OR: 2.47; 95% CI

  15. Peru and Camisea We have this deep fear for our children and for the heritage that will be left behind. Because our children will have children and our grandchildren will too. But maybe we won't exist anymore. Marianeli Mantaro Ortega, Shivankoreni Community, June 2003 http://www.amazonwatch.org/amazon/PE/camisea/index.php?page_number=5

  16. Epidemics in isolated indigenous populations Nanti (Napolitana & Stephens 2006)

  17. Next steps • International Environmental Justice studies provide evidence • Publications disseminate • Communities come together • “Class Action” lawsuits hold companies to account • BUT

  18. Changing international laws Hard Laws: General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (from 1947); new laws under WTO, particularly TRIPS; AA; SPS. Soft(er) Laws: Arhus, Human Rights conventions Changing community philosophies shifts in democracy shifts in activism disillusion with science disillusion with corporate control of policy What are the key shifts of policy and practice internationally that drive new environmental health policies?

  19. Where are we going? I am worried that rising costs will take the wind out of the sails of the manufacturing recovery Digby Jones, CBI director general

  20. Where are we going 2 After all, in a hundred years when oil and gas resources have dwindled and we have inflicted further damage on our planet, can we imagine renewables not playing a major role in sustaining our societies? ..bioenergy holds out the longer-term promise of fuels which will break the iron link between oil and transport. • Jim Skea The Future of Energy 2007 http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/debates/rcuk_article/2293/

  21. Tony's carbon footprints: Follow these simple steps, Prime Minister, and you too can save the planet The Independent Jan 16 2007

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