Global Fossil Fuel Projects Endanger Health of 2 Billion People, Report Reveals

A recent report by Amnesty International reveals that over two billion people globally are threatened by the health risks posed by fossil fuel infrastructure. According to the report, approximately a quarter of the world's population lives within three miles of operational fossil fuel projects, which include more than 18,300 oil, gas, and coal sites across 170 countries.

This proximity to fossil fuel facilities significantly increases the risks of cancer, respiratory diseases, heart conditions, premature births, and other health issues, as well as threatening air quality, water supplies, and land integrity.

The report states that nearly 463 million people, including 124 million children, live within just 0.6 miles of these sites, with an additional 135 million people potentially affected by proposed projects.

More than 3,500 new fossil fuel projects are in various stages of development, further exacerbating the health risks associated with these infrastructures. The findings indicate severe environmental injustice, as marginalized and low-income communities disproportionately bear the burden of pollution, often referred to as 'sacrifice zones.' Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, emphasized that the fossil fuel industry has prioritized profits over human rights and environmental sustainability.

The report highlights that Indigenous peoples, who represent only 5% of the global population, face particularly high exposure to fossil fuel infrastructure, with one in six sites situated on their lands.

Testimonies from various Indigenous land defenders and local communities illustrate the ongoing struggles against pollution, land grabs, and violence linked to fossil fuel projects. The report also connects the expansion of fossil fuels to broader issues such as cultural erosion and community disintegration.

During the 30th annual climate negotiations in Belem, Brazil, leaders are urged to take decisive actions to phase out fossil fuels, particularly in light of recent superstorms influenced by climate change.

The report is based on groundbreaking research from the Better Planet Laboratory at the University of Colorado Boulder, which utilized mapping data of fossil fuel sites correlated with census information and critical ecosystems.

The urgency for policy reform is emphasized, as the continued reliance on fossil fuels leads to both a health crisis and a climate crisis, fundamentally rooted in systemic injustices. The call for a rapid transition to sustainable energy alternatives is more pressing than ever, as the health impacts of fossil fuels could resonate for generations to come.

The global community is reminded that the age of fossil fuels must come to an end now, highlighting the need for urgent environmental justice and reform in energy policies.