Protection of Environment and Indigenous People Through Best Practices of Oil Development

Authors

Carlos A Donado, Dora Maria Fiske, Seanna M. Reilly

Sponsor

Congressman Jim McGovern

Advisors

Constance Clark, David DiBiasio, Natalie A. Mello

Term

October – December 2009

Project Outcomes

Final Report

Abstract

Improper oil exploration and development practices have the full potential to destroy sensitive tropical ecosystems and the cultures of indigenous people, just as it happened in Ecuador as a result of Texaco’s oil operations. Our research has led us to conclude that there is a lack of communication among all stakeholders involved and a lack of informed public participation. We developed two recommendations to improve dialogue among all stakeholders involved and to better represent the concerns of the indigenous people.