"Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline," the tribe said in a statement. "Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternative routes."
Today people who shared the news, boycotted certain banks, analyzed the situation, donated and were physically present to peacefully protest against the pipeline have another strong reason to keep resisting. It's an evidence that when united and mobilized for the common good of us and the earth, results will be in everyone's favor. That is right, I said 'everyone' instead of 'our', given the fact that these pipelines are there to provide easier and cheaper access to oil for our cars, houses, toothpaste and even guitar strings. What I am trying to point out is that there shall not be two sides,"we won", or "they caused it". It is a common struggle or a fight within everyone. Ourselves and our decision-making process. Our greed and our kindness that directly reflect in the lifestyles we live.
Personally, I believe that the case of Dakota Access Pipeline resistance should not be seen only as one between the native tribes and the "discriminatory" ruling power, also known as the government that you vote for. That is again contributing to division and creation of the "take a side" idea, which does not really get you anywhere.
If we were greedy enough, such mobilizations of everyone would not even be necessary. That is because it would already be a common sense that fossil fuels are not the best solution. Then, why isn't it common sense today? Probably because we lacked enough information of the global climate change consequences, we thought we could adapt, or we needed fast means of energy to stand up from the results of World Wars initiated from abstract principles. I can not really state certainly a reason why it is not a common sense today. Instead, I can optimistically state that today from the moment we wake up and brush our teeth with the toothpaste that contains Poloxamer 407 (derived from petroleum) we will know that there is only one side. Tomorrow, when we buy the other natural toothpaste, we will help a farmer, young entrepreneur, renewable energy industry, the planet and ourselves. A really simple example of a small action but when transformed into common sense it influences power, finances, and others. It is definitely hard as even the natural toothpaste will lead you to the mass corn agriculture issue, the solar panels to the limited lithium resources in Bolivia and many more challenges.
So, shall we now read, grow, understand, solve, respect, love, evolve and acknowledge that there is no "they", it is just us?
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9 Comments
Great informative report with clear examples,thank you for sharing this i learnt something from your report Agim Mazreku
Posted 07-12-2016 18:48
The momentary halt of the DAPL construction is a small victory but is one, I fear, that won't last. An oil company that has invested 3.8 billion dollars into this pipeline will not give up that easily. Heck, they could even pay the $50,000 a day fine to get the pipeline up and running and recover their money's worth and more. The victory here is that the pipeline may not pass through tribal land, not that it will definitely not be constructed. Alas, aluta continua.
Posted 06-12-2016 23:23
This is one of the best post i have ever seen on Tunza.
Yes, exactly we need to take our responsibilities seriously : THE CHANGE AGENTS.
Posted 06-12-2016 18:45
Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to read it. I must confess that though I am content enough that the Dakota Access Pipeline will not pass through the sacred land, water resource, and Sioux territory. Yet, it is definitely not the time to celebrate it. The results of this are that the pipeline will take a different route, one that is not yet defined where. These years we get numerous cases of pipelines, coal-fired power plants and more. A genuine celebration would be the time when we can practically shift means of energy production, introduce stability in regions and pipelines that carry fossil fuels are only in history books.
I will be doing more research on federal laws imposed on native tribes as part of my studies, so please stay tuned for more reports on the topic.
Posted 06-12-2016 09:17
I read about it in online news that Thousands of protesters celebrated a major victory in their push to reroute an oil pipeline away from a tribal water source. Great! I believe every project should have a feasibility study from environment impact viewpoint and if project is sustainable then only it should proceed else government should not approve it.
I like the way you have written about our greed, oil demand and all it's impact on climate change. Yes climate change is impacting everyone, all of us are stakeholders so all of us have to individually watch our daily actions and switch to more sustainable means. It's not 'they', it's 'us'. Let's take a 'let me' approach rather than 'why me' in starting the change we want to see. Thanks for a very well written report.
Posted 05-12-2016 23:27
It is quire informative ...Thanks for shaaring
Posted 05-12-2016 23:09
Thanks Agim for the excellent report. I did not have much information on Dacota Access pipeline. But you report has been very informative.
Posted 05-12-2016 23:04
Hi Agim, thanks for posting. I read your report with much appreciation. Especially as it gets to the end, it really has this nice delivery. I agree it all comes to our way in the end, though most of the times it's hard to see... Thanks for this very well written report!
Posted 05-12-2016 16:01
Thanks for sharing. Good to know about it.
Posted 05-12-2016 13:03