Comments on: Chevron Gets Reamed on 60 Minutes over It’s Toxic Legacy in Ecuador

By: The Understory » Chevron’s True Cost

The Understory » Chevron’s True Cost — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:57:03 +0000

[...] is expected to pay $27 billion to indigenous peoples in the Ecuadorian Amazon after they left hundreds of lakes filled with toxic waste. They are also [...]

By: The True Cost of Chevron « It’s Getting Hot In Here

The True Cost of Chevron « It’s Getting Hot In Here — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:48:07 +0000

[...] Chevron is expected to pay $27 billion to indigenous peoples in the Ecuadorian Amazon after they left hundreds of lakes filled with toxic waste. They are also the target of campaigns for their abuses in Nigeria and Richmond, CA. [...]

By: ben boothe

ben boothe — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:19:21 +0000

The role of US oil companies and the spills and massive destruction they have left in Ecuador has been well documented for years. Our firm has visited remote areas and we know the sludge, oil and spills there may last for decades. Texaco, Chevron, and others treat nations such as Ecuador with no respect, but don’t realize that even the indians of remote areas are intelligent enough to realize when their water, soil and air is polluted.

By: Nick Magel

Nick Magel — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:24:41 +0000

Thanks for the post. First off I think you propose a really valid question to why (at least in the US) big oil is able to lurk outside the corporate and climate campaigns? Anyway…
I really was impressed (miracles happen) with the coverage from 60 Min. They pulled no punches against Chevron, didn’t sugarcoat the issue in PR spin, gave poor Chevron Rep Silvia Garrigo plenty of airtime to bury Chevron with their own words (in her defense its impossible to justify Chevron’s actions), exposed Chevrons double-talk, and just reported on the facts that are there.
It’s taken 2 decades for these communities to reach this critical point(and is an absolute testament to how commitment for justice endures the longest roads) , and it seems that Chevron is really feeling like that just might not have enough ammo behind the deceit and lies to wiggle out of this one.
Chevron’s Shareholders meeting is May 27 in San Ramon CA. This is significant because there is a strong (and by strong I mean 1/2 Billion $’s strong) that are really beginning to question Chevron’s environmental and human rights policies. they are also pretty worried about how a company sustains a $27 billion ruling. Hopefully the tide is turning for communities of the Ecuadorian Rainforest, and communities from Burma to Richmond, that continue to fight the injustices that are the pillars of the oil industry.
If you want more information on the case and/or the upcoming shareholders meeting check out http://chevrontoxico.com/

There is also an interesting release from the Amazon Defense Coalition exposing Chevrons hired army of bloggers to spin the case (something all the folks fighting coal know all too well)
http://chevrontoxico.com/news-and-multimedia/2009/0331-chevron-pr-director-donald-samson-behind-secret-payments-to-bloggers-to-hide-ecuador-liability.html

By: Paul Paz y Mino

Paul Paz y Mino — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:45:34 +0000

Thank you for getting the word out about this. Chevron has been trying its best to attack 60 Minutes and making false claims about the “real story” in Ecuador. The evidence in this case is overwhelming and Chevron doesn’t have a leg to stand on. They need to realize that the only solution is to fund a full scale clean-up. They are about to lose the largest environmental and corporate accountability case in history!