Posted on 04/04/2008 8:01:26 AM PDT by ZGuy
Environmentalists in Ecuador have a difficult decision to make: pay the government roughly $350 million a year for the next two decades, or see oil companies drill in the pristine heart of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. President Rafael Correa, who recently delivered the audacious ultimatum, wants to harness his country’s oil wealth to develop its foundering economy. Although it’s unclear what will eventually happen, Correa’s strategy will have a lasting impact in Latin America and the Caribbean. If the environmentalists give in and pay Ecuador, other countries could copy Ecuador’s strategy. And if the NGOs demur, countries will wonder why they should halt profitable projects when environmental groups are reluctant to sacrifice money for their principles. In effect, Correa’s proposal forces environmentalists to rethink how they operate in the region, where governments resent the presence of foreign NGOs that try to block energy projects needed to power developing economies.
The environmentalists, however, may just go for Correa’s proposal, considering that greener northern European countries have reportedly expressed an interest in paying up. They are eager to prevent the development of the oil deposit known as ITT (Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini) in the lush and pristine Yasuni National Park. “In just two and a half acres, you will find nearly as many tree species as in the U.S. and Canada combined,” according to environmental group Live Yasuni.
But talks have been dragging for months, as potential financiers try to come up with the funds to secure a guarantee that ITT oil will remain in situ for good. That’s no easy task, given that Ecuador has been rife with political instability in years past. It’s not unheard of for the rules of the game to change in the South American country; future administrations could renege on Correa’s guarantee to leave the Yasuni alone.
(Excerpt) Read more at energytribune.com ...
Maybe we should follow their lead.
The US could ask for BILLIONS to pay for the environmentalists wishes.
For being a left-winger that is actually a pretty smart move to pull on the enviro-nuts.
I would think the greens have enough money from carbon credits to pay this easily. What better way for them to spend their money?
No maybes about it. We don't need any particular politician in DC to introduce pro-drilling in ANWAR legislation. The American people, themselves, will immediately drop their "feel-good" positions, and take care of that little problem THE VERY MINUTE they're given the type of stark choice mentioned in that article. LOL
Who will carry that ball for us? John McCain? If he did, he would have instant support of most conservatives.
Anyone think a non-leader like him will be smart enough to do it? Hahahahahaha
There is something unseemly about environmentalists telling the poorest nations in the continent not to drill for oil.
Of course, when a non-Chavist was in the government, they weren’t going to listen. They are listening now because a fellow leftist is telling them this.
You will note that environmentalists never, ever, go after OPEC oil projects. Its only non-OPEC oil projects they try to interfere with.
In previous years Greenpeace has made a habit of trying to shut down Ecuador’s shrimp farming industry, which is the second or third largest source of income in the country. Again, there is something unseemly about trying to shut down income in a country that is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. I predict that a Chavist isn’t going to care what they think, now that he is in office, and they aren’t going to press the issue against a leftist regime.
They never do. Environmentalism is only a hammer against free economies, and its a shake-down scam. The rank and file usually don’t know this, but if you try to build a project these days the first thing you need to do is pay them off. Engage them, make generous donations, make a show of entertaining their concerns, but for heaven’s sake don’t forget the generous donations.
But if you’re OPEC, or any leftist regime, you can stop worrying. They aren’t going after you, and they know that if they did you wouldn’t hesitate to go after them.
We should make the envirowhackos pay the U.S. government FIFTY BILLION DOLLARS a year or else we drill offshore, on the front range, in ANWR, and wherever else we can drill.
It won't take any ultimatums, babe. When gasoline hits 5 or 7 or 10 bucks a gallon (whatever it takes), the NGOs will be sent packing! The enviro-weenies only get away with their bullshit because the dhimmicRATS pretend to be concerned.
I don't know what the breaking-point is, but when the cost of gas gets high enough, the USA will finally get an Energy Policy - "Drill for oil NOW, and build some new refineries, dammit!!"
When it finally happens, it could also mark the end of the meddlesome UN .............. FRegards
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