Planet Watch

Arctic oil scramble in offing after GOP tax bill

As a part of the Republican tax overhaul bill, Congress voted  to open Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and natural gas drilling, after more than four decades of contestation on the matter. Drilling is still years away at best, due to depressed oil prices, a lengthy review process, and likely legal challenges. But oil companies are already arguing over who will have rights to the reserve—while Native Alaskan communities that depend on its critical caribou habitat see impending cultural extermination. (Photo: FWS)

The Amazon

Colombia: campesinos block oil operation

Colombia's feared anti-riot force, the ESMAD, used tear-gas against campesinos occupying lands in the Amazonian department of Caquetá to block oil exploration efforts.

The Amazon

Amazon tribe takes hostages to protest oil spill

Members of the Wampis people of Peru's Amazon seized a military helicopter, holding the crew and eight officials to press for an emergency response plan to a devastating oil spill.

The Amazon

Amazonians protest in Lima over oil spills

Leaders of remote Amazon communities traveled to Lima for a protest vigil outside the offices of PetroPerú, to demand action following two devastating oil spills.

The Amazon

Peru: oil spill fouls major Amazon tributary

Crude from an oil pipeline spill in northern Peru has spread due to rainfall and reached the Río Marañon, a major tributary of the Amazon, local indigenous leaders warned.

Africa

Nigerian farmers can sue Shell in Netherlands

In a landmark victory for Nigerian farmers, the Hague Court of Appeals ruled that Royal Dutch Shell can be sued in a Netherlands court over oil spills in the Niger Delta.