US imports of oil from the Amazon are contributing to rainforest destruction and greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from environmental group Amazon Watch. As oil interests seek to exploit areas of the Amazon, there are fears that indigenous communities will suffer from pollution, displacement and deadly illnesses due to a lack of acquired immunity. The study revealed that 230,293 barrels of Amazon crude oil were processed each day by US refineries last year. In addition to being one of the largest producers in Latin America, Brazil is also home to some of the most biodiverse tropical rainforests on Earth. The crude is distributed as diesel fuel meaning that “virtually every company, city and university in California and around the country contributes to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest”.
US imports of oil from the Amazon are contributing to rainforest destruction and greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report from environmental group Amazon Watch. The study revealed that 230,293 barrels of Amazon crude oil were processed each day by US refineries last year. In addition to being one of the largest producers in Latin America, Brazil is also home to some of the most biodiverse tropical rainforests on Earth. The crude is distributed as diesel fuel meaning that “virtually every company, city and university in California and around the country contributes to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest”.