Ali, a 21-year-old young man, tragically lost his life to cancer, with his father blaming oil field pollution as the cause. This heartbreaking story is just one example of ordinary people taking on oil giants and fighting for justice. From young activists to farmers, individuals around the world are standing up against environmental harm and making a difference.
In a recent case that has sent shockwaves through the oil and gas industry, an Iraqi man named Hussein Julood is suing UK oil giant BP over the death of his son, Ali. Hussein alleges that the burning off of gas at a BP oil field emitted harmful pollutants that ultimately led to his son’s leukemia. This lawsuit highlights the growing trend of people turning to legal action to hold companies accountable for their environmental impact.
Ali’s battle with cancer began when he was just 15 years old, forcing him to drop out of school. His family, desperate to find a way to pay for his medical treatment, sold their furniture and relied on the support of their community. After two years of treatment, Ali was given a clean bill of health and started a mobile phone shop. He even documented his daily life through video diaries.
Tragically, Ali’s cancer returned, and in his final Instagram post, he pleaded with oil companies to stop gas flaring in order to protect the youth of the country from kidney failure and cancer. His father firmly believes that the gas flaring at the Rumaila oil field, operated by BP, directly caused his son’s illness.
Gas flaring is a process where natural gas released during oil drilling is burned off to quickly and easily dispose of it. While it is sometimes necessary for safety reasons, many operators choose to flare gas because it is cheaper than building proper facilities to capture and store it. However, this practice comes at a significant cost to the environment, contributing to millions of tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually and releasing harmful air pollutants like carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide.
The World Bank has called for energy companies to drastically reduce gas flaring by 2030. These environmental lawsuits, like the one Hussein Julood has brought against BP, are a powerful tool in holding companies accountable for their actions and pushing for change. Ordinary people are standing up against oil giants, demanding justice, and fighting to protect the health and well-being of their communities.
MAJOR OIL FIRM FACES LEGAL ACTION OVER HARMFUL FLARING PRACTICES
In a groundbreaking move, an individual has taken legal action against a major oil firm for its detrimental flaring practices. Julood, the plaintiff, is seeking compensation to cover the medical expenses incurred for his son’s treatment. Speaking to BBC News, Hussein, Julood’s father, expressed his hope that BP, the company in question, would take his situation into consideration. He emphasized that his fight is not only for himself but also for the impoverished individuals living in the area who suffer from pollution.
Rumaila oil field, where the flaring occurs, has gained notoriety for having the highest documented levels of flaring worldwide. A BBC investigation conducted in 2022 revealed alarmingly high levels of cancer-causing pollutants, including benzene, in the village where Julood’s family resides. While the oil field is owned by the Iraqi government, BP serves as the lead contractor, operating the site in collaboration with PetroChina under the consortium named Rumaila Operating Organisation.
The legal case is being presented in UK courts due to BP’s headquarters being situated in the UK. The flaring emissions from the Rumaila oil field reached a staggering 3.7 million tons of CO2 in 2021, equivalent to the annual emissions of 2 million cars.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS HOPEFUL AS LANDMARK CASE UNFOLDS
Wessen Jazrawi, a partner at Hausfeld & Co, the legal firm representing Mr. Julood, believes that this case sets a crucial precedent. He highlights the fact that companies like BP have historically engaged in harmful environmental practices without facing consequences, particularly in the Global South. BP has acknowledged the concerns raised and expressed its commitment to supporting change.
Rumaila Operating Organisation claimed to have funded community health initiatives last year. However, Hussein dismissed these efforts as mere “fake promises.” He asserted that the environment remains severely polluted, making it nearly impossible to breathe.
IMPACT OF OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY ON PUBLIC HEALTH
Numerous studies have established a direct correlation between oil and gas facilities and various health conditions. The Wilmington community in Los Angeles, surrounded by six oil refineries, experiences some of the highest rates of asthma and cancer in California.
In California alone, over 2 million individuals live within close proximity to operational oil and gas wells. A study conducted in the United States revealed that pollutants stemming from oil and gas production contributed to 7,500 excess deaths, 410,000 asthma attacks, and 2,200 new cases of childhood asthma in 2016.
Furthermore, pollutants emitted by the oil and gas industry can have detrimental effects on unborn children.
SHELL AGREES TO COMPENSATE COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY OIL SPILLS
In a related development, oil firm Shell has reached an agreement to compensate the Ejamah community and three villages in the Ogoni community within the oil-rich Niger Delta. This decision comes after an oil spill occurred in 2004, causing significant harm to the affected communities.
SHOCKING LINK BETWEEN OIL AND GAS SITES AND BIRTH DEFECTS!
New research reveals a disturbing connection between oil and gas developments and congenital heart defects in newborns. A study found that children born to mothers living near these sites are up to 70% more likely to be born with heart defects compared to those living further away. The risks don’t stop there – cancer rates are also on the rise among workers and residents near oil facilities. Prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and childhood leukemia are just a few of the types of cancer linked to these hazardous environments.
YOUNG ACTIVISTS TAKE ON POLLUTERS IN LANDMARK CASE!
In a groundbreaking legal battle, six young people from Portugal have taken their fight against carbon dioxide emissions to the European Court of Human Rights. These brave claimants, aged between 11 and 24, are demanding that the EU, UK, Norway, and other European nations take stronger action to cut emissions. Gearóid Ó Cuinn, the director of Global Legal Action Network, describes this case as a true David and Goliath story with unprecedented potential impacts. The inspiration for their lawsuit? The devastating wildfires that ravaged Portugal in 2017. While their case was unfortunately rejected, environmental groups elsewhere have achieved victories. Nigerian farmers and their communities recently won €15 million in compensation from Shell after a 15-year legal battle. In the US, a group of teenagers from Montana successfully sued their state government, establishing that it is the government’s constitutional duty to protect people from climate change. This landmark win has sparked similar court cases across the country.
YOUTH TAKE A STAND AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE!
Young activists in California are fighting against harmful emissions from vehicles and power plants. Eighteen kids have launched a lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency, accusing it of intentionally allowing these harmful emissions. Their goal? To protect the environment, marine life, and their own health from the devastating impacts of climate change. Meanwhile, in Maine, a group of passionate activists has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that it has failed to reduce its emissions. These young advocates fear that if urgent action is not taken, their generation will inherit a state overwhelmed by carbon emissions and the disastrous consequences of climate change. It’s time to make a change now!
