On the evening of the 17 May, a number of activists will be holding a series of talks to discuss the “Fossil fuel imperialism” taking place in many parts of this region. While the consequences can be devastating, with human rights abuses and environmental damage being the norm, those most effected by fracking are yet to receive the justice they deserve.
Mehdy C Ortiz
Fracking is a method that is used to extract oil or natural gas found in shale rock and understandably it has proven to be very controversial.
While views surrounding fracking vary, it is no secret that the negative effects on communities and the environment can be devastating.
A lack of tight regulations and oversight can greatly increase those negative effects, which is what has been witnessed in Latin America.
One only has to look to Colombia in 2010 when BP finished its fracking project, which resulted in several human rights breaches and negative consequences to the environment.
Activists seeking justice have been killed or have disappeared, with many communities still to this day struggling to find the truth.
More recently, the President of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, revealed a development plan for Vaca Muerta, the world’s second largest shale gas deposit. Major fracking projects like these, greatly threaten indigenous people’s land rights as well as communities who have to deal with the environmental devastation that fracking brings.
For this reason, Argentina Solidarity Campaign, Platform, War on Want, The Gaia Foundation, London Mining Network, Colombia Solidarity Campaign and the Human Rights Consortium have organised a discussion on “Fossil Fuel Imperialism in Latin America”, an event in London to raise awareness surrounding the issues of fracking in Latin America.
Leading the event will be a number of activists and scholars, notably Fernando Cabrera from Observatorio Petrolero Sur, an organisation that works to protect human rights and land against the advances of fracking, and Fabian Laverde, from Cospacc (Social Corporation for Community Advisory and Training Services), a human rights organisation dedicated to seeking justice and helping those affected by fracking. The event is free to attend, however, those planning to attend should register their interest at Eventbrite. Date: Thursday 17 May 6–8.30 pm. Location: Room 349, Senate House, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HU.
