The earth’s last sacred sanctum and a safe haven for animals is up for sale to oil companies

01 August, 2022

Despite all the pollution in the world’s oceans and the melting glaciers, the earth is still considered a beautiful space thanks to the massive rainforests that still thrive. However, this may not be true for much longer as the stunning rainforest that spans 1,500 miles in central Africa sees a grave threat. This is because the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has estimated that nearly 16 billion drums of oil might be laying under this gorgeous forest. Therefore, in order to monetize their best asset, the Congo government is set to auction exploratory oil drilling rights. The rights to a massive 16 blocks are to be auctioned today on July 28 and 29.

The shocking aspect is that 9 of these are from the “central basin” rainforest region. This entails nearly 59 million acres of land, which is larger than New York and Maine collectively. Apart from hastening the climate crisis, such a destructive oil search in the pure region could mean a effluence tragedy of gigantic proportions that ruins the peaceful way of life for locals as well as the wildlife.

The vast area of forests that stands to be destroyed

The earth's second largest rainforest is up for sale and destruction at the hands of oil companies. For the uninitiated, the Congo rainforest is home to trees that have been growing here from the beginning of time and this forest area shelters elephants, bonobos and scores of humans. It aids in safeguarding our climate and impedes climate change and removes 1.5 billion tonnes of carbon emissions every year. And the peatlands beneath it store several years’ worth of Earth's carbon emissions. The 59 million acres planned to be auctioned off for oil exploration would absolutely shatter the rainforest. And create a cascade of catastrophic climate events.

A threat to indigenous flora and fauna

If you are unfamiliar with the area, you should know that the expansive Congo River and its branches are the chief arteries of this almost inaccessible area. Over many decades the one deterrent for dangerous hunters and poachers has been the unreachability of peatlands and the waterlogged swamps. This has made the area a sanctum for indigenous fauna and a variety of birds along with wildlife. However, this would no longer be the case once oil drilling happens as there would be a methodical deforestation in the area spanning thousands of miles mainly to carry seismic survey gear. Once the forest areas are torn down, the destruction will make every nook and cranny of the jungle accessible to poachers and illegal loggers who would ruin the sanctum of Congo and threaten the wildlife to extinction.

Source: Pixabay

All the countries of the world, especially the affluent and polluting nations, must come together to protect this forest area. It won't just save the Earth's climate, but also countless animal species which are found only in Congo. This include the endangered Bonobos, which are human's closest relatives, yet alas only 10,000 of these beautiful animals are left in the jungle of Congo.

The current predicament

At the moment, the problematic fiscal state of Congo’s government is apparent. It is widely deemed one of Earth’s most underprivileged nations that is in dire need of exports to boost income. However, conducting oil production in the heart of the jungle of Congo seems foolhardy. It would be better to consider other assets Congo possesses such as large reserves of enormously treasured metals such as cobalt that is critical for the world’s energy transition. Carefully planned mining of this can ensure more tax collected and raise the country’s revenue in this age without damaging the forests.

Other dangers that are a consequence of oil drilling

Furthermore, once it has been established that oil production is possible, there are more threats tat would emerge. Reports suggest that excavating 1 cask of oil to the ground level creates nearly 3 drums of toxic wastewater. This is a disturbing statistic that can exterminate fauna and harm humans in the area. Moreover, as the oil drilling continues, it can introduce further harmful substances in the peatlands, as all things are linked by water. There could be life-threatening oil spills that can be a bane for the biodiversity and cause pollution in awful ways.

Alternative methods that can be explored to save the forests

Global authorities can urge Congo to look at other profitable means to preserve the rainforests. For starters, money can be paid to poor locals who own land in the area, as a contract to safeguard the forest. This can ensure that economies thrive without deforestation. At the moment the Central African Forest Initiative, (a philanthropic initiative of France, Germany, Norway and Britain) has solemnized a $500 million dollar understanding with Congo in 2021’s COP26 climate talks. The agreement details a way forward to shelter Congo’s jungle and peatlands. However, it is uncertain how successful this agreement will be if the oil companies start drilling in the area.

We must collectively work to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions. It is critical that we reach net zero by 2050 in order to protect our climate, to this end, there should be an end to investing in fossil fuels. Moreover, the auction for oil exploration this month should not have happened.

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