+55 (41) 9 8445 0000 arayara@arayara.org

Fortuna at Risk

Maranhão city undergoes research for potential natural gas exploration in its territories

 

What is fracking?

Fracking – also known as hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals, and sand at high pressure into underground rock layers to release trapped natural gas. Although this technique is already used in several countries, it is controversial due to its environmental and ecological damage, including groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, induced earthquakes, etc.

The municipality of Fortuna, Maranhão, received a visit from the COESUS team – No Fracking Brazil Coalition for Water and Life, a campaign by the Arayara International Institute, on September 9, 2022. A technical inspection was conducted in two blocks where the petroleum company ENEVA is conducting gas exploration research. The extraction method used by the company could not be identified, but it was found that gas extraction does not bring wealth to the municipality.

 

Research wellheads for shale gas extraction in Fortuna/MA.

No Fracking Brazil was received by the advisor to the presidency of the council, Tonni Rodrigues, who received campaign materials and an anti-fracking bill. When asked if the municipality was aware of locations for shale gas exploration, Rodrigues affirmed and indicated the research site to the team.

COESUS went to the City Council, where they noted the lack of maintenance in the building. The state of the “people’s house” shows the absence of development caused by gas exploration in the city.

While walking through the streets, squares, and other places in the municipality, it is possible to observe white signs with numbers that identify the exploration blocks of the petroleum company. This practice is also common in Argentina, a country that already adopts the hydraulic fracturing technique known as fracking.

A little-known phenomenon called “environmental racism” affects various cities in Maranhão, including Fortuna. Petroleum companies prefer to carry out their operations in municipalities that suffer from this type of racism, as it facilitates the use of seductive strategies and deceptive promises to deceive the population, further contributing to the marginalization of these localities.

 

White signs with numbers identifying gas exploration blocks.

Environmental racism occurs when the population of a particular region is disproportionately harmed by the installation of polluting industries or extractive activities that compromise the environment. These communities, usually composed of low-income individuals and minority ethnic groups, face negative environmental impacts in their daily lives, from water and soil contamination to degradation of health and quality of life.

In the case of Fortuna, gas extraction is not bringing the promised economic benefits to the city. The lack of maintenance in the municipal council is just a visible example of neglect and lack of investment in local infrastructure. While the petroleum company seeks to profit from gas exploration, the population of Fortuna suffers from the negative consequences of this activity.

 

Room inside the City Council of Fortune/MA.


The technical visit by COESUS raises important questions about the development model adopted in the municipality. It is essential to have a broad and inclusive debate about the social and environmental impacts caused by gas exploration and other extractive activities in the region. It is necessary to seek sustainable alternatives that value the well-being of local communities, promoting development in a fair and equitable manner.

COESUS is engaged in raising awareness and mobilization against fracking and other environmentally harmful extractive practices affecting communities. The coalition seeks to expand the debate and promote actions that aim to preserve natural resources and protect populations affected by these activities.

Compartilhe

Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

Enviar Comentário

O seu endereço de e-mail não será publicado. Campos obrigatórios são marcados com *

Redes Sociais

Posts Recentes

Receba as atualizações mais recentes

Faça parte da nossa rede

Sem spam, notificações apenas sobre novidades, campanhas, atualizações.

Leia também

Posts relacionados

Arayara denuncia Termo Norte por desinformação sobre usina termoelétrica em Brasília

O Instituto Internacional ARAYARA protocolou nesta terça-feira 11 uma notificação junto ao Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (Ibama) denunciando a divulgação incorreta da data da Audiência Pública referente ao licenciamento ambiental da Usina Termoelétrica (UTE) Brasília. A usina, empreendimento da Termo Norte Energia Ltda., será instalada nas Regiões administrativas de Samambaia e Recanto das Emas, no Distrito

Leia Mais »

ARAYARA na Mídia: Dados do Monitor Energia integram nota da FNCE contra a recontratação da usina Candiota

Dados do Monitor Energia do Instituto Internacional ARAYARA integram nota publicada pela Frente Nacional dos Consumidores de Energia (FNCE), que ganhou destaque hoje (14) em matérias publicadas nos portais O Globo , EIXOS ,  Portal Tela, Isto É Dinheiro e UOL. A FNCE criticou a possível recontratação da usina de Candiota, defendendo o fim da geração a carvão no Brasil. Dados

Leia Mais »

ARAYARA na Mídia: Em entrevista, John Wurdig fala sobre transição energética e o aquecimento no sul do país

Confira entrevista do gerente de Transição Energética do Instituto Internacional ARAYARA, John Wurdig, no canal Coletivo Mentes Verdes Papo Verde. Durante  uma conversa muito esclarecedora, o engenheiro ambiental gaúcho fala sobre transição energética e o aquecimento no sul do país. Ativista ambiental contra a mineração de carvão no Rio Grande do Sul e consultor de Transição Energética Justa e sustentável,

Leia Mais »

ARAYARA na Mídia: Leilão da ANP em junho terá 65 blocos de petróleo na Margem Equatorial com avaliações ambientais perto de vencer

Certame terá áreas na polêmica Foz do Amazonas e pode acabar na Justiça. ONG vê risco a investidor com inclusão de blocos na Margem Equatorial cuja documentação ambiental vence no mesmo mês O próximo leilão da Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP), marcado para 17 de junho, pode acabar na Justiça. Serão ofertados 332 blocos exploratórios em diversas partes do país,

Leia Mais »