Chevron is responsible for one of the largest environmental disasters on the planet.
Over the course of 26 years of oil drilling in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, U.S. oil giant Chevron deliberately dumped more than 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater into the rainforest, leaving local people suffering a wave of cancers, miscarriages and birth defects. In spite of the tremendous suffering caused by this toxic pollution, Chevron has refused to clean up the catastrophe.
Within the next year, the outcome of a court case sixteen years in the making will be determined by a court in Ecuador. Chevron has stated that even if it is found guilty in court the company simply won't pay to clean up the site or provide health care, potable water and compensation to affected communities. Chevron needs to take responsibility. But the company won't unless it feels pressure from its American customers and the general public.
Send a letter to CEO John Watson and tell him he needs to clean up the toxic legacy in Ecuador. And tell him that Chevron must adopt sound human rights policies so that what is happening to the people of Ecuador and the rainforest never happens anywhere else.
Dear Mr. Watson:,
As the new CEO of Chevron, climate change and the environmental and human rights impacts of Chevron's operations are the two issues that will define your tenure at the helm of one of the world's largest oil companies. Chevron has fallen behind other businesses and many political leaders already taking a leadership position on climate change. Furthermore, your company is drawing increasing criticism for failing to rectify its massive human rights and environmental disaster in Ecuador. Taking the following steps will demonstrate a true commitment to environmental responsibility and respect for human rights which will only strengthen your company's future.
We the undersigned call on Chevron CEO John Watson to:
Clean up Chevron's toxic legacy in Ecuador, compensate affected communities for health and environmental impacts, and provide affected people real access to health care and potable water.
Develop a global environment and human rights policy that will prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Adopt aggressive strategies to provide clean energy to a carbon-constrained world.
