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Каспинфо ноябрь 1999 |
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Название: Материалы НПО по Каспийскому региону (на английском языке). Главные Пункты: * Обращение американских активистов-экологов в Американо-Азербайджанскую Торговую Палату и участникам конференции в Вашингтоне с призывом остановить загрязнение Каспия. (24.11.1999) Полный Текст Материалы НПО по Каспийскому региону (на английском языке). October 25, 1999 To: The U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, and participants of the October 25 Washington DC conference Fax: 202-898-0900 The Caspian is the world's largest inland body of water. The region, including some areas of existing and proposed ground pipelines, supports rich aquatic, avian and terrestrial biodiversity that is known to be vulnerable to pollution resulting from oil spills and chronic production discharges. The Caspian contains over 120 species of fish, 40 of which have commercial value. The Caspian provides habitat to more than 90% of the world's sturgeon, a major source for popular black caviar. It is also home to the Caspian seal, which is listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as a vulnerable species. There has already been a decline in Caspian fisheries, due in great part to pollution, especially from oil. The intensive development of Caspian oil raises a number of significant environmental concerns. For instance, the recent earthquake and oil refinery fire in Turkey reminded us how a major earthquake can damage oil production infrastructure. How will oil development be structured so as to guarantee safety in case of a large earthquake? We are also concerned about oil companies' readiness to invest the needed funds to ensure environmental safety of the oil development. The Azeri Early Oil Project - the first major, internationally financed offshore oil development - shows major environmental deficiencies. It seems clear that many environmental considerations are being overlooked as companies and countries rush to claim the bounty of oil resources that they believe lie beneath the waters of the Caspian. The Caspian is already an ecosystem under stress. Existing pollution has damaged marine and terrestrial communities. Those pristine areas that remain along the Caspian shoreline - which still harbor important habitat for sturgeon, birds, and the Caspian Seal - will be placed in further danger by large-scale oil development. Large-scale environmental damage from oil development could lead to disastrous impacts in the Caspian Sea region, leading to political destabilization, in addition to ecosystem destruction. These dangers must be corrected if the international community is to promote responsible and sustainable development of the Caspian region. Oil development in the Caspian must not lead to environmental and social catastrophes. Indeed, if the companies and governments in the Caspian region are not ready to meet stringent environmental standards, they should halt Caspian oil development until such time when they can extract oil from the region without harming the rich Caspian Sea environment. As part of your discussions on Azerbaijan in the 21st Century, we believe it is vital to address the environmental situation of Azerbaijan and the rest of the Caspian region during the next century. As such, we believe that this conference offers an important opportunity for oil companies and governments to commit to higher environmental standards. We trust that the participants of the conference will commit to sustainable development of Azerbaijan and the entire Caspian region in the 21st Century. We look forward to your reactions and working together with you in the future. Please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to put you in touch with organizations in the Caspian region which are working on these issues. Sincerely, Rory Cox Research Director David Gordon Director of Programs Doug Norlen Policy Adviser Pacific Environment and Resources Center/PERC 1440 Broadway, Suite 306 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel: 510-251-8800 Fax: 510-251-8838 E-mail: perc@igc.apc.org www.pacenv.org |