Ecuador's oil conflicts
The question of whether or not the oil industry has benefited Ecuador has been debated extensively over the past few decades. Until 2001, the issue of petroleum extraction had been mostly contained in the Oriente. But, with the construction of the country’s second trans-national oil pipeline, it became a national concern. This has culminated in the formation of complex relationships between ecoresistors/dependents, indigenous peoples, ecoimperialists, the state, and the oil industry; these have led to a variety of conflicts within Ecuador. Ecoresistors’ and ecoimperialists’ views differ when it comes to social justice and human/indigenous rights. The oil industry’s view differs from that of the ecoimperialist & ecoresistors/dependents when it comes to environmental issues. The state- Ecuador’s government- is caught in the middle of it all; it has to somehow find a balance between economic growth and social justice in a way that will lead towards sustainable development.
This essay bears a strong resemblance to Ecuador’s Environmental Revolutions. Whether it’s oil extraction, deforestation, or the introduction of invasive species- Ecuador’s environmental issues can all be traced back to the country’s struggle to achieve sustainable development. I hope that by visiting the country and learning about some of these issues first-hand, we will all gain a better understanding of the difficulties surrounding sustainable development, and one day put that knowledge to use.
This essay bears a strong resemblance to Ecuador’s Environmental Revolutions. Whether it’s oil extraction, deforestation, or the introduction of invasive species- Ecuador’s environmental issues can all be traced back to the country’s struggle to achieve sustainable development. I hope that by visiting the country and learning about some of these issues first-hand, we will all gain a better understanding of the difficulties surrounding sustainable development, and one day put that knowledge to use.