The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to one of the largest old-growth rainforests on earth, is reportedly auctioning off vast amounts of tropical peatlands, reserves that store vast amounts of carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere and from contributing to global warming. The oil and gas blocks, which will be auctioned in late July, extend into Virunga National Park, the world’s most important gorilla sanctuary.
Oil exploitation in these areas will likely exacerbate the global climate catastrophe.
Tosi Mpanu Mpanu, the DRC’s lead representative on climate issues and an adviser to the minister of hydrocarbons, said Congo's sole goal is to help the struggling nation reduce poverty and generate badly needed economic growth. “Our priority is not to save the planet,” Mpanu said in an interview last week.
No comments:
Post a Comment