Environmentalist form coalition against offshore oil drilling
yvette alonzo
Opposition to offshore drilling continues to pick up steam. A number of environmental organizations did not agree that offshore oil drilling should be allowed to continue and have called for a ban, earlier today; they united to share one voice. BELPO, APAMO, OCEANA and COLA have come together to form a coalition which will lobby for a moratorium or a ban. Yvette Alonzo of APAMO announced the formation of the coalition after giving a presentation to the Belize Tourism Association about the effects of offshore drilling.
Yvette Alonzo, Coordinator, APAMO
“As you all know APAMO, BELPO, COLA, Oceana have all publicly taken a position to request for a ban on offshore drilling; and as a result we got together and we decided that there was a need to form some sort of coming together and uniting out efforts. So that we’re not out duplicating resources, going and doing the same educational campaigns and so we can work together on this issue. So we’ve met twice so far, with the idea of forming or establishing a coalition against offshore drilling. And we, as I mentioned to Diedra in that letter, that we’d like to develop a plan; and we’re in that process, however, we’ve actually gotten an expert, who was on the H-CAN coalition and campaign in the U.S to give us some advice, in terms of how to be successful at going about such an activity. And he, It was very insightful, in terms of what we needed, you know, to have in place in order to be successful at something like this. So, it’s a work in progress, we’re still at a very early stage of this process. The invitation is extended out to B.T.I.A. and other groups, who would like be part of this joint effort, in terms of, recommending or advising our government against this activity.”
Amazing. There is not one person amongst them that knows the slightest thing about offshore drilling and yet they have formed a coalition to stop it.
I am an environmentalist with 35 years of oil exploration experience, and would recommend oil drilling as one of the most environmentally sound ways of bringing revenue and jobs to Belize.
I Agree with you Rigrat but there will always be organizations that will stop for Belize to Develop its sad to see
The ppl of Bze dont want it and it is the general consensus of most that our environment is more important than a few measly dollars. So what if we get some benefits from offshore oil exploration rite now, it does not compare to wat we wud have lost from the environment in the longer run. I SAY NO TO OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION AND THE PM BETR START LISTENING TO THE PPL
Offshore oil drilling will benefit who? The average person on the street? I don’t think so. Will it give us lower gasoline, diesel, or butane prices? No!! It will only benefit government and the owners of the oil company. And at what risk? The United States of America will not come down to its knees and go bankrupt because of the disaster in the Golf of Mexico but if that same disaster would happen in front of Belize, would we (Belize) survive it? There is no fishing or Tourism in the state of Louisana, the most affected state so far and that state is far bigger than the country of Belize. Imagine if we could not fish or do any tourism activity? Thousands would be affected. There are so many other ways of making money and not putting our environment in possible dancer. Sad to see Rigrat and Alex so close minded…i bet they dont live on the coast line or the islands of Belize…i fully endore the ban on oil drilling in Belize..GOB wake up and stop accepting those secret sweet heart deals that each oil company offers…
Belize has always been one step ahead when it comes to conservation efforts and assuring the sustainable use of most of our resources. But the balance here is slanted. Our brother s from Costa Rica did a comprehensive study and national consultations to decide the future of their oil exploration. The benefits go to the multinational companies and the environment is the possible injury. The $ that other activities bring to the country will supercede what oil can bring.’
One study in Belize proved that the reefs and mangroves provide US $400 Million in services per year . now, how much have we received since they found oil?
do the math Rigrat !
I agree with belcap1480, Oscar965 and Belizean. NO TO OFFSHORE DRILLING. The regular people will never benefit from such. And what does government get from this? A meager percentage which never reaches the poor.
Tourism in Belize is one of the major industries in Belize. Thousands of Belizeans benefit directly from this activity. If big countries like the US cant manage to ensure environmental safety, how can we? Its like following the blind into a ditch. Its best to learn from other people’s experience. LETS JOIN AGAINST OFFSHORE DRILLING!
One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the devastating effects an oil spill would cause on a small country like ours. Just take a look at the present Gulf of Mexico oil spill and it paints a good enough picture. It’s day 44 and the oil is still not contained. Rigrat and Alex would be the first ones to pack up and leave. We would be the ones left holding the bag.
We need to be guided by history and common sense. Just look at what is happening in the gulf and the Louisiana shores. If that happened in Belize tell you what, the oil company would not give a rats >>>> about a clean up. They see Belize as a third world country and would deal with an oil spill in a don’t give a damn manner. Forget the money, becasue only the higher-ups in Belize will benefit not the poor people. When the oil spil happens then the poor fishermen and others will reap the bad. Think of the environment, tourism is already down, think what an oil spill would mean. SAY NO
If Louisiana and BP does not know how to control a well deep in the Gulf of mexico what make them think this won’t happen in beautiful belize. More than half of belize is own by foreigner, chasing belizean out of their own teritory already. most belizean live in swamps even the burial ground. where next.
We are gathering signatures to petition against the Offshore Oil Exploration and Extraction in Belize and need to make public that people can sign our petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/say-no-to-offshore-oil-exploration-in-belize.html
Thanks,
CayoBuay
FiWeBelize
http://fiwebelize.com
Evidently rigrat and Alex must have their hands deep in the oil business pocket. I have never met an oil person who is a true environmentalist as they will always put they earnings $$$$$ before they protection of planet earth and not try to find alternative ways of energy. Hypocracy at its highest no doubt. The waters and barrier reef of Belize is worth more than any oil company would be able to compensate the people of Belize if it was damaged/destroyed. There are so many more alternative energy sources for Belize to tap into. I was a tourguide in Belize for six years and I am speaking from expereince. So Alex and rigrat, go help BP clean up its mess and forget offshore drilling off the coast of Belize.
Evidently rigrat and Alex must have their hands deep in the oil business pocket. I have never met an oil person who is a true environmentalist as they will always put they earnings $$$$$ before the protection of planet earth and not try to find alternative ways of energy. Hypocracy at its highest no doubt. The waters and barrier reef of Belize is worth more than any oil company would be able to compensate the people of Belize if it was damaged/destroyed. There are so many more alternative energy sources for Belize to tap into. I was a tourguide in Belize for six years and I am speaking from expereince. So Alex and rigrat, go help BP clean up its mess and forget offshore drilling off the coast of Belize.
I personally believe that some environmentalists have sold their souls to the highest bidder. Saying you are an environmentalist and approving of oil drilling as one of the most sound and safest options is like saying I’m going to heaven because I go to church every Sunday so people can see you as a Christian.
It is amazing how when some people open their mouth a stench of ignorance escapes. We have all seen the devastation that oil companies bring with them all along the time line of oil exploration.
What I want to know is this. How much are these so called environmentalists and Government officials being paid to take the side of the oil companies?
We don’t give a damn what rigat and Alex have to say.They could be the gods of environment but they need to take that crap elsewhere. If thats the only way to bring revenues to Belize, we would rather be poor. We’ve been dealing with that for generations anyway and we’re still here surviving the best way we know how. There was tv back in the days of Exxon Valdez and now BP and the devastation is extreme.They already ruined the beautiful waters or other countries now they want to ruin others.So now i say…get behind thee satan….gwaan!
I SUPPORT OIL drilling anywhere in Belize. How will belize survive without any kind of economic revenue? Belize is digging itself in huge debt and no jobs or source of income. Oil drilling will bring some hope and revenue. We can’t be sitting on gold if we don’t utilize it. Come on Belizeans. I support some NGOs but this “coalition,” lets think for a minute what they are getting out of this: a job, a paycheck and opportunities to visit America. People don’t join groups just because they want to but because their is something to gain. Rather than a handful gain, why not see the economic opportunities for the nation. Unless you want pay for $10/ gallon gas, then don’t support oil exploration in Belize. I don’t so DRILL FOR OIL IN BELIZE!
BELIZEANS AGAINST OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31308060&id=1110174429#!/pages/Belizeans-against-Offshore-Drilling/100842603296271
i say no to oil drilling look fellows we need better lives that oil drilling in our beautiful belize we better belize it that is a bunch lies what they say no no no no stop that belize will do better without damage our coral reef we need more saying no drilling oil in belize minister open up men too much stuff goana da belize right now we don’t need more problems cut it off
There are a lot of long term issues not being address by supporters of offshore drilling .You don’t need to be and environmentalist or a person with a PHD to under stand what is at stake. Unlike the United States that has other coast lines and a more diverse economy they are able take the lost of tourism, fishing and other micro business that depend on the gulf coast. Belize does not have that luxury to have an oil leak in its water the lost would be greater than any money gained. BP is the forth largest oil company in the world with a lot of resources Submarines ,Robotics equipment and still can’t stop the leak the persons or organizations that hold Licenses in Belize are companies newly started with little to no experience in oil drilling one License was even granted to the owner of the Princess casino. The key to Belizean prosperity is not found under the sea but in the fertile lands and competence of its government that would have the Fortitude to end corruption creating opportunities for foreign investment in manufacturing and other Industries that would bring long term solutions. As the president of the United States said oil is not
The end all to energy but a part of a larger picture I just hope we remember that
There are a lot of long term issues not being address by supporters of offshore drilling .You don’t need to be and environmentalist or a person with a PHD to under stand what is at stake. Unlike the United States that has other coast lines and a more diverse economy they are able take the lost of tourism, fishing and other micro business that depend on the gulf coast. Belize does not have that luxury to have an oil leak in its water the lost would be greater than any money gained. BP is the forth largest oil company in the world with a lot of resources
Submarines ,Robotics equipment and still can’t stop the leak the persons or organizations that hold Licenses in Belize are companies newly started with little to no experience in oil drilling one
License was even granted to the owner of the Princess casino. The key to Belizean prosperity is not found under the sea but in the fertile lands and competence of its government that would have the
Fortitude to end corruption creating opportunities for foreign investment in manufacturing and other
Industries that would bring long term solutions. As the president of the United States said oil is not
The end all to energy but a part of a larger picture I just hope we remember that