Legal Challenge Seeks to Protect Guyanese People from Environmental Harm

Citizens, Wintress Morris and Joy Marcus, have filed a legal case against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to safeguard the people of Guyana from the damaging impacts of the proposed Hammerhead petroleum project. They are concerned the EPA is putting the interests of ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd. above the wellbeing and prosperity of the Guyanese people.

The duo is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Melinda Janki, Tim Prudhoe, Anna-Kay Brown and Suzanne Bullen

In a recent statement the two announced the legal challenge centers on the EPA’s failure to address the full scope of environmental harm posed by the project, particularly the significant greenhouse gas emissions from burning the oil and gas extracted from the Hammerhead field.

The duo pointed out that EPA has issued the terms of reference for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the Hammerhead project, but these terms completely ignore the effects of the massive pollution that will result from the combustion of this fossil fuel. According to the duo, the burning of the oil and gas will release vast quantities of greenhouse gases, which we all know contribute to global warming, damage ecosystems, and harm human health.

The duo said their attorney sent multiple letters to Mr. Kemraj Parsram, the Executive Director of the EPA, urging the Agency to amend the terms of reference to include an assessment of the direct and indirect environmental impacts of the Hammerhead project, specifically the pollution from burning its oil and gas. Despite these efforts, Parsram and the EPA reportedly failed to respond appropriately, and to correct the oversight in the terms of reference.

Marcus and Morris believed the issue is not merely an administrative issue—it is a matter of public health and the future of Guyana. They are contending citizens have a right to know how this project’s pollution will affect them, their families, and communities.

Making known there are not anti-development, the two expressed the view that when public bodies like the EPA do not do their job, Guyanese have a right to stand up and hold them accountable.

“Our ancestors fought back against colonialism. We are not going to shame our ancestors’ memory by sitting down quietly and taking handouts,” they contended.

At the same time, they are calling on all Guyanese to get up and stand up, not o let fear or intimidation silence them. They are urging citizens to “Stand up for your rights. Stand up for the rule of law.”

This is not the first time the EPA has ignored the concerns of citizens. Last year, the High Court criticised the Agency for evading responsibility and failing to properly address public concerns. This year, the Agency’s lack of transparency and accountability continues, leaving Guyana to wonder if there is something to hide.

Background information

Global overheating: Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is trapping heat and making the Earth hotter like a greenhouse. That excess heat disrupts the global climate system leading to extremes of weather – more droughts, hotter temperatures, heavier rainfall, bigger storms. Excess heat also results in temperatures that are life threatening. This information was published in 1982 in a report by Exxon Engineering which predicted accurately that burning fossil fuels would heat up the earth, change the climate, and heat up the ocean.