Restoring the biodiverse Amazon
Start Date: Mid 2023
Timeframe: 15 to 20 years
Budget: $15 billion |
Start Date: Mid 2023 Timeframe: 15 to 20 years Budget: $15 billion |
Oil was discovered in the Amazon of Ecuador in the 1960's. Since that time, the region has become known as one of the worst environmental disasters. Being part of the Amazon rain forest, it is a place with unparalleled biodiversity.
To Do:
Water treatment
Soil treatment
Groundwater treatment
Restoration of local food production
Medical support
Sustainable housing
Infrastructure development
Training and education
Government advocacy
Contamination in the area is due to 73 billion litres of wastewater being dumped into unlined pits where the water could reach streams and rivers that are relied upon by the local inhabitants for drinking water, bathing and fishing.
In addition to this, billions of litres of oil have been spilled over time from damaged pipelines, landslides, accidents and the irresponsible use of the oil itself. Spillages and contamination has been found as far away as Peru.
Environmental audits has showed contaminants including hexavalent chromium, cadmium and barium in the soil samples. The local residents have a record of excessive cancer rates and skin conditions. Fish are reported as sick or dead, and even livestock is affected when feeding close to uncovered pits.
Known as the “Amazon Chernobyl”, a 4,500 sq.km area of Ecuador’s Amazon suffers from the deliberate release of 72 billion litres of toxic water released into the environment along with almost 1,000 unlined waste pits cut out of the jungle floor.