84 2017. Estimates suggest that water demand in Neuquén will increase approximately to 7.40 × 106 liters per year by 2024 (Rosa & D’Odorico, 2018). Prior to fracking, Neuquén had been primarily an agricultural province. For example, the city of Allen, the “pear capital” of Argentina, has had wells placed on land that was operated for pear agriculture (di Risio, 2017), which reduces the available agricultural land and uses excessive water for nonfarming purposes. There are potential solutions to the issues that oil and gas extraction have caused for the environment. Argentina has implemented a CO2 tax to help lower CO2 emissions but has yet to implement a CH4 tax. A tax might incentivize drillers to avoid or minimize CH4 leaks. Burning off excess gas could be another way to remove the extra gas; however, this process does release CO2. This process is better for the short term but may not be useful in the long term. Another potential solution is to discuss potential options with agencies that are concerned with the environment, such as the social activist group Observatorio Petrolero Sur. Discussion could help create environmentally friendly policies to manage oil and gas extraction. The Argentine government also should consider working with Interjurisdictional Authority of the Limay, Neuquén, and Negro River Basins (AIC) because the AIC is responsible for promoting the sustainable use of water resources (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2019) in the basins. This would allow proper appropriation of water resources to both farmers and oil and gas companies as well as policies to help keep water clean and widely available within Neuquén. Social and Health Implications The Argentinian government is so focused on exploiting the potential of Vaca Muerta that it is ignoring the problems of citizens. Many of the citizens in the area, such as the indigenous Mapuche and the farmers who inhabit the local villages nearby, are becoming victims of social and medical issues caused by UOG extraction. Silicosis, which can be caused by the inhalation of sand utilized in fracking fluid, has become an issue for those employed at wells. It also has been affecting the locals who live near wells. The Mapuche have been forced to deal with wells established on their land without their permission. Chemicals have been leaking into the water supply; fires have been breaking out due to explosions at wells; and health effects, such as birth defects and cancers, have been found in livestock. Some specific examples readily illustrate these generalities. In 2013, YPF and Chevron worked to develop an unconventional well in Vaca Muerta. The project was implemented in the indigenous Mapuche town of Campo Maripe, directly violating the International Labour Organization Convention 169, because the tribe was not consulted (di Risio, 2017). Another well was constructed in Auca Mahuida Provincial Reserve, a supposedly protected nature area, infringing on the Law of Protected Areas ratified by Argentina in 2008 (Human Rights Council, 2016). Trees and bushes have to be cleared to allow for the construction of new wells, thereby eliminating foliage that had provided food for Mapuche livestock. On September 14, 2019, an unconventional well exploded and burned for 24 days. The fire spread from the well to the surrounding area, burning much of the Mapuche land, polluting the environment, and endangering the locals. The well fire required chemical fire suppression experts to be flown in from Houston to extinguish it. Fracking chemicals also have leaked into the water supply of the Mapuche people (Goñi, 2019). Collectively, these events have increased adverse health effects for the people and their livestock. The Mapuche are not the only group of people affected by fracking. Many of the workers are exposed to health risks, while at the same time having their civil liberties violated by the oil and gas companies. Workers’ wages have been cut almost in half, with certain benefits, such as job transportation and on-site breaks, now taken out of their pay. The oil and gas companies generally have taken power away from the unions. Working-class neighborhoods in Neuquén are having new wells drilled nearby. The Comarsa oil waste deposit located not far from the city of Neuquén is slowly increasing in size, which could cause issues in the future. The expanding city has an unpleasant smell of garbage and burning because of lack of appropriate waste collection
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==