[Marxism] Fwd (Aljzerra) Amazon pipeline plan fuels environmental concerns

[dwalters@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>From Aljzeera.net

"http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7F24F7E3-97DF-4714-B51E-CA1A1708B098.htm";
Amazon pipeline plan fuels concern


Wednesday 25 January 2006, 7:46 Makka Time, 4:46 GMT

Environmentalists have been caught off guard by South American leaders' plans to
build a massive natural gas pipeline through the Amazon rain forest from
Venezuela to Argentina.

The plan, unveiled earlier this month by the region's left-leaning leaders, was
short on details, but one thing seemed certain: The $20 billion pipeline would
destroy part of the environmentally sensitive Amazon, the world's largest
wilderness.

Environmentalists contend construction of the network of pipelines would pollute
waterways, destroy trees and create roads through the jungle that could draw
ranchers and loggers.

At a meeting in Brazil's capital in mid-January, the presidents of Venezuela,
Argentina and Brazil promised to prepare in-depth studies for the 10,000km
pipeline by mid-year.

The leaders said the pipelines would feed growing regional demand for gas and
wean their countries from US economic influence.

Roberto Smeraldi, of the Friends of the Earth-Brazil, said: "I only know what
everybody else knows, what has been said publicly."

"A government like Brazil's can't do similar studies for projects covering 500km
after 10 years of discussion, and now they are going to manage in-depth studies
for a 10,000km project in six months?" he said.

Smeraldi said he believed the pipeline theoretically could be built with minimal
impact to the environment, but the cost would be prohibitive.

Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, estimated the pipeline would cost $20
billion to $25 billion, but Smeraldi said strict adherence to Brazil's tough
environmental laws would double the cost.

No one at Brazil's Environment Ministry was available to comment on the proposed
project.

Fouling the environment

Glenn Switkes, of the International Rivers Network, said if the pipeline were
ever built, it would inevitably foul the environment.

"There are a lot of issues involved: direct construction, the question of
drainage, all the roads that need to be built," Switkes said.

Roads are particularly devastating to the Amazon rain forest. They allow
ranchers, loggers and miners to flood into areas that previously were
inaccessible.

Environmentalists estimate that each road cut into the rain forest causes
destruction of the forest for 50km on each side of the road within a few years.

Economic wisdom

Analysts also questioned the economic wisdom of the plan, especially after
Brazil's government-run oil company announced it would invest $18 billion to
develop the country's natural gas fields.

Norman Gall, executive director of the Fernand Braudel Institute of World
Economy, said: "Both Brazil and Argentina have gas fields large enough to cover
their own domestic demands. I don't see why they would like to undertake this
hugely costly project, with money they don't have, not to mention environment
costs."

The plan also seems to conflict with other pipeline projects proposed for the
region.

"If the government goes ahead with this pipeline (from Venezuela), it will have
no money for any other type of investment," Smeraldi said.







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