Basic data and source of conflict
|
Country |
Brazil |
State or Province |
Northeast (Pernambuco, Bahia, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Alagoas, Sergipe, Maranhão, Paraíba) |
Location accuracy |
Medium (regional level) |
Type of population |
Semi-urban |
Type of conflict |
Fossil Fuels and Climate/Energy Justice |
Description |
Data on the conflict were reported, such as the beginning, number of locations affected. In addition, the current situation of the leak and the measures that had been taken by government institutions, local residents, NGOs and volunteers in general were described. |
Specific products |
Crude oil of unknown origin |
PROJECT DETAIL, GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ACTORS
|
Project details |
The possible origins of oil on the beaches and the amount of material removed from contaminated sites, the affected population and the actors involved in collecting the material were described. |
Relevant government actors |
State and City Governments, Environment Secretariats (municipal and state), Health Secretariats (municipal and state), Federal Universities, Research Institutes and Centers in various areas, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, Federal Police, Labor Public Prosecutor’s Office; Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Petrobrás. |
CONFLICT AND MOBILIZATION
|
Environmental justice organizations and other supporters |
Pastoral Council for Fisheries (CPP); National Articulation of Fishermen (ANP); Movement of Artisanal Fishermen and Fisherwomen (MPP); Salve Maracaipe, WWF Brazil, Greenpeace Brazil, Movimento Porto 2039, Bioma Brasil Institute, #VazaOleo Rede Manguemar; Humanities Studies Nucleus, National Commission for the Strengthening of Extractive Reserves and Coastal Sea Extractive Peoples (Confrem); Intervozes Communication Collective, other organizations and local social movements in each state |
Conflict intensity |
Medium (street protests, visible mobilization) |
When the mobilization started |
Mobilization for remediation as impacts were perceived |
Start of conflict |
August 30, 2019 |
Groups that mobilize |
Farmers, fishermen, indigenous groups or traditional communities, informal workers, local government/political parties, unions, neighbors/citizens/communities, scientists/local professionals, women, social movements, religious groups |
Forms of mobilization |
Resource to economic assessment of the environment, arguments for the rights of mother nature, public campaigns, participation of national and international NGOs, lawsuits, judicial activism, media-based activism, community participatory research (popular epidemiology studies), protests street/march, creation of alternative reports/knowledge, development of a network/collective action, complaint letters and official petitions |
VISIBLE AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS ARISING FROM THE OIL SPILL
|
Environmental impacts |
Visible: excess waste; surface water pollution/decrease in water quality (physical-chemical, biological); reduced ecological/hydrological connectivity; loss of biodiversity (wildlife, agrobiodiversity); ground contamination; oil spills; food insecurity (crop damage), loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation |
Potential: Air pollution; genetic contamination; pollution or depletion of groundwater; large-scale disturbance of hydroelectric and geological systems, other environmental impacts |
Health impacts |
Visible: Acute and chronic poisonings; mental problems, including stress, depression and suicide; work-related illnesses and accidents; other diseases related to the environment; exposure to complex unknown or uncertain risks |
Potential: Accidents, health impacts related to violence; other health impacts; malnutrition; health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution; damage to the nervous system of exposed people; respiratory problems, cardiac arrhythmias, abortion, cancer, anemia, bone marrow aplasia, among other conditions. If exposure is too intense, it can cause coma and death. |
Socioeconomic impacts |
Visible: Lack of job security, absenteeism at work, layoffs, unemployment; violation of human rights; loss of livelihoods; loss of knowledge/practices/traditional cultures; specific impacts on women; loss of landscape/sense of place |
Potential: displacement; social problems (alcoholism, prostitution, etc.); increased violence and crime; other socioeconomic impacts. |
CONFLICT RESPONSE, SOURCES AND MATERIALS
|
Current status of project development |
The origin of the oil and the cause of the spill remain unproven. |
Do you consider this a success in environmental justice? Briefly explain. |
No. Government measures taken so far have not been decisive to the seriousness of the oil spill. This is justified by the recurrence of the appearance of large amounts of oil on many beaches, the lack of information about the origin and size of the disaster, the dangers and risks related to contact with the product, the destination of the material removed. Spill costs will never be reimbursed. |
Conflict result / response: |
Court decision, new environmental impact assessment/study under negotiation. |
Sources and Materials |
There was extensive coverage by the media and social media. Letters, notes, manifestos, articles, interviews, photos and images related to the oil spill were published. Scientific publications were also considered. |