The controversial East African oil project spearheaded by TotalEnergies, in collaboration with Chinese oil company CNOOC, is already wreaking havoc on the environment, threatening to undo the efforts that have been employed to curb climate change, restore ecosystems, and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Despite production not yet beginning, the devastating effects are visible, particularly in Uganda's Murchison Falls Nature Park, the country's largest national park and a biodiversity reserve.
The $10-billion project includes the Tilenga drilling project and a 1,443-kilometer East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that will transport oil from Uganda to the Tanzanian coast. This project involves the drilling of more than 400 oil wells, many situated within the boundaries of Murchison Falls Nature Park. The vibrations from the drilling rigs have already driven elephants out of the park and into nearby communities, leading to the destruction of croplands and fatal human-elephant encounters.
The environmental damage is extensive. Lights from the rigs, visible for nearly 14 kilometers, disrupt nocturnal wildlife like leopards and lions. Increased paved roads and motorized traffic have heightened the risks of poaching, accidents, and pollution, further endangering the park's fragile ecosystem. AFIEGO's report, supported by satellite image analysis and interviews, highlights significant biodiversity loss, contradicting TotalEnergies' claims of responsible operations.
TotalEnergies maintains that the project will bring economic opportunities to the local population, but the reality is far from this promise. Over 120,000 people have been displaced, with many unable to reclaim their land. This displacement, coupled with environmental degradation, indebts the Ugandan population, burdening them with the long-term consequences of biodiversity loss, human rights abuses, and environmental hazards.
The international community must recognize the stark contradiction between the promises of economic development and the dire environmental and social costs. Efforts to address climate change and restore ecosystems are being undermined by projects like these, which prioritize short-term gains over sustainable development. As Nabiruma from AFIEGO emphasizes, funding should be redirected towards renewable energy projects, leveraging Uganda's significant potential for solar power. This shift is crucial not only for preserving biodiversity and human rights but also for fostering a sustainable and resilient future for Uganda and beyond.
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This oil companies are so selfish, profit has totally blinded them and they care less about the planet
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Total energies should divert the funds to ways that will make the climate better and not destroying it
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@rosebellendiritu I agree ... these investments should go to renewable energy
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This should stop..I still don't understand why people are still so determined to destroy the planet and not save it.
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@jane_wangui its unfathomable to see people feeding the beast that will destroy them
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Why does countries give the fossil fuel industries consent to carry on their devastating activities?
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@rashid_kamau ? Fossil fuels are a major contributor to climate change, and the industries that produce them are destroying the environment. That's why its use and drilling should be stopped ASAP.
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@rashid_kamau Short term greed, without any thought for there own countries future generations
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Dear Edwin wangombe Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to TotalEnergies by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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total has been on spot for a while, it's mow time the company considers its effect on the planet
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@annett_michuki It is a shame that even after numerous warnings on the negative effects of this project, Total Energies still chooses to carry on with it
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There is still too much profit to be made from fossil fuels- we have to move investment and tax the industry using emissions, pollution and environmental impact levies.
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@lucinda_ramsay I agree that we need to stop investing in fossil fuels and start taxing the industry for its emissions, pollution, and environmental impact. As long as there is profit to be made, these companies will continue to destroy the planet.
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They should feel ashamed for their action.
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@walter_lungayi It is saddening to see these oil giants just focused on making profits at the expense of the wellness of the people and nature
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A grim picture of biodiversity loss and human rights violations
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@dickson_mutai I know... this is a bad picture showing the level of selfishness that these corporations have