oil and gas projects in the western amazon threats to wilderness, biodiversity, and indigenous peoples石油和天然气项目亚马逊西部荒野,威胁生物多样性,和原住民.pdfVIP

Oil and Gas Projects in the Western Amazon: Threats to Wilderness, Biodiversity, and Indigenous Peoples 1 2 2 3 1 Matt Finer *, Clinton N. Jenkins , Stuart L. Pimm , Brian Keane , Carl Ross 1 Save America’s Forests, Washington D. C., United States of America, 2 Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America, 3 Land Is Life, Somerville, Massachusetts, United States of America Abstract Background: The western Amazon is the most biologically rich part of the Amazon basin and is home to a great diversity of indigenous ethnic groups, including some of the world’s last uncontacted peoples living in voluntary isolation. Unlike the eastern Brazilian Amazon, it is still a largely intact ecosystem. Underlying this landscape are large reserves of oil and gas, many yet untapped. The growing global demand is leading to unprecedented exploration and development in the region. Methodology/Principal Findings: We synthesized information from government sources to quantify the status of oil development in the western Amazon. National governments delimit specific geographic areas or ‘‘blocks’’ that are zoned for hydrocarbon activities, which they may lease to state and multinational energy companies for exploration and production. About 180 oil and gas blocks now cover ,688,000 km2 of the western Amazon. These blocks overlap the most species-rich part of the Amazon. We also found that many of the blocks overlap indigenous territories, both titled lands and areas utilized by peoples in voluntary isolation. In Ecuador and Peru, oil and gas blocks now cover more than two-thirds of the Amazon. In Bolivia and western Brazil, major exploration activities are set to increase rapidly. Conclusions