Oil on the graves

Do those responsible for major industrial projects care about the living and the dead?

So, for example, how can we quickly exit the era of fossil fuels, led by coal and oil, to preserve the health of humans and that of natural ecosystems?

Take the Franco-Chinese Eacop/Tilenga project, a huge heated pipeline, saturated with oil, which must be extracted in Uganda and Tanzania.

A recent report from the inter-religious NGO Greenfaith estimates that at least 100,000 people have been displaced from their land as a result of this project. Certainly, manufacturers announce financial compensation. But can money replace our most essential connections? Because by leaving their land, these populations also lose the link with their deceased who, often, are buried near villages and houses. Internal TotalÉnergies documents estimate that the pipeline route will disrupt nearly 2,000 graves. Not to mention the archaeological sites which will be discovered over time. For Greenfaith, not respecting these places of memory is an act of cultural and spiritual aggression towards local populations, very attached in particular to the cult of ancestors.

In the logic of these predatory industries, everything happens “as if nothing were sacred”, emphasizes Greenfaith, as do many local religious leaders.

To be found, alternating with Véronique Badets, every Saturday at 7:52 a.m. on RCF and in podcast on their website.