The Amazon Synod - Extractive Industries

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We continue our focus on the effects the extraction of natural resources, such as oil, gas, and minerals.  Historically this can be a huge money maker for commercial investment.  For those who live in the areas of extraction, it can also be deadly and exploitative, often resulting in extreme poverty and human rights abuses.  Extraction provides oppressive governments a huge source of income, preserving their power, while the exploited lands Lands can become polluted and uninhabitable.

As the Amazon Synod meets to discuss a variety of ecological issues and faith connections, the Maryknoll office of Global Concern has summarized them nicely with this article.  The fires burning in the Amazon give new urgency to these conversations as so many of the issues facing the region (and the world) are related to extractive industries.
Also see this story from a Spanish language website with the perspective of people most effected by mining and fires in the rain forests.  http://iglesiasymineria.org/  (as needed, use your browser's "translate" when you open the webpage)