Explore the fast-paced development of offshore oil in Guyana and the challenges faced by countries without a history of oil and gas development. Discover the incentives and challenges for journalists critical of the oil industry. Discuss the impact of air pollution on health and a product called Air Doctor. Hear about a petroleum engineer's career journey and transition into the US Department of Energy. Learn about the challenges of managing oil contracts and the concerns regarding the switch to renewables.
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Quick takeaways
Developing offshore oil resources now can help transform Guyana's economy and reduce poverty.
Exxon and other oil companies are exerting influence in Guyana by co-opting influential experts and journalists.
Deep dives
The fast-paced development of offshore oil resources in Guyana is seen as a wise strategy to prove and sell resources while transforming the country financially.
Guyana's Vice President, Barack Chugdao, believes that rapidly developing offshore oil resources, especially in the context of net zero, is a wise strategy. By exploring and proving the resources now, the country can sell them quickly and use the revenue to transform the country's economy.
Extractive colonialism and push towards oil and gas development in countries without a history of dependence.
Countries without a significant history of oil and gas development are being pushed into dependence on these industries, often facing backlash when opposition arises. Government officials and journalists critical of development are under political, social, and economic pressure, including criminalization and intimidation.
Exxon's influence in Guyana and the recruitment of experts and journalists.
Exxon, along with other oil companies, can easily identify and influence key experts and journalists in Guyana due to its small size and limited pool of expertise. Offering grants, donations, jobs, and other incentives, the oil industry seeks to control the narrative and shut down opposition by recruiting and co-opting influential individuals.
Guyana's pursuit of carbon neutrality and the limitations of carbon offsets.
Guyana aims to remain a carbon sink, highlighting its vast forests and signing the first sale agreement of its carbon credits. However, carbon offsets and credits may not effectively reduce emissions, allowing polluting companies to claim neutrality without addressing actual emissions from burning oil and gas. Drastically reducing energy demand in the global north and changing consumption patterns are necessary to curb fossil fuel developments around the world.
In the last episode of our "Light, Sweet Crude" season we look at what's next for Guyana, and for other Global South countries grappling with poverty and climate change at the same time.