Consequences of ExxonMobil flaring in Guyana’s waters

Canada’s energy education encyclopedia defines flaring as “the process by which natural gas is burned off in a controlled manner when extracting oil.” On the surface this may seem harmless if the human and environmental consequences are ignored. Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Climate Agreement. Said agreement commits to reducing global warming given the threats it poses to climate change and the ecosystem.

Flaring contributes to climate change.  And though it is argued flaring could be done in a controlled manner it has restrictions to minimise harm. It has to do with the amount of billion cubic meters that could be released in the environment and its management in keeping with Sustainable Development.

The World Bank, on its webpage, warns that “Flaring of gas contributes to climate change and impacts the environment through emission of CO2, black carbon and other pollutants. It also wastes a valuable energy resource that could be used to advance the sustainable development of producing countries.”

Man has an interrelationship with his environment. To minimise harm to man and the environment the Bank has come up with a “Zero Routine Flaring 2030” Initiative.  According to the Bank this “brings together governments, oil companies, and development institutions who recognise the flaring situation described above is unsustainable from a resource management and environmental perspective, and who agree to cooperate to eliminate routine flaring no later than 2030.”

Guyana is a member of the World Bank and while the Government has not said if it supports this initiative the government is always talking about sustainable development. There can be no benefit to the environment if flaring is not done sustainably. International institutions have made a strong case to have these gas use as energy in poor countries, which Guyana remains.

ExxonMobil, which has been using flaring to extract our oil, has committed back in 2018 to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by cutting flaring by 25% within two years. This adds to a previous commitment to eliminate routine flaring entirely by 2030. The Government must ensure Guyana is part of this plan in order that Guyana can honour the Climate Change Agreement and much touted global Sustainable Development Strategy.

There are consequences to ExxonMobil flaring in Guyana’s waters. Government is talking up one thing at international fora about halting the climate crisis through sustainable development but at home is doing or allowing others to do differently. Guyana is a recipient of funding from Norway not to cut down our forests which benefit the fight against climate change.  The forest is vital to our ecosystem.

As a new oil and gas producing country, not a year old in the business, Guyana ranks number five among approximately 85 countries who are flaring. This ranking should be of concern. The rating advises that outmoded environmental laws need to be updated. Likewise, the Government of Guyana must make good on its promise of legislation to forbid routine flaring. This was a promise made by the Coalition Government, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC). If the People’s Progressive Party/Civic seems disinclined to keep this promise with Guyanese, the Opposition should agitate for it to happen.

Additionally to flaring affecting the environment it affects health. Should one be exposed to flaring emissions they risk illnesses such as headaches, vomiting, coordination loss, cancer, skin and lung problems.

It is not a case where Guyana does not know the environmental and human fall out from flaring. It is a case where the Government is permitting a practice fully aware of the dire consequences. To continue to turn a blind eye or pretend all is well is showing disregard for the Paris Climate Agreement, human life, agriculture, and entire ecosystem. To operate recklessly in the short term and think it would not have long term consequences is foolhardy. Adults must act responsible now to halt the damage they and previous generations created. This is not the sort of environment that should be passed on to the young and future generations, neither are they deserving to inherit a depleted earth.