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 he Orinoco River is the lifeblood of the country, coursing through one of the few remaining pristine tropical ecosystems in the world. It has long been a valuable resource for the ecosystems and people of Venezuela. For thousands of years, humans and other species lived in harmony with the river. However, when the European colonists came across the river almost 500 years ago, they started to use the river in new and sometimes damaging ways.
Early on, the Orinoco Valley was mined for its gold. More recently, as the world demanded more and more energy for manufacturing, transportation and electricity, developers looked to the Orinoco as a major source of energy. They extracted oil from the valley and dammed parts of the river for hydroelectric power and flood control. Today, Venezuela is the third largest oil exporter in the world.
When oil is removed from the ground and moved across long distances, there are many risks involved. When oil is refined, gases are emitted which can be harmful to humans. Oil spills can cause widespread, long-term damage to the environment. Burning oil releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. These risks must be taken seriously.
What other effects can this type of exploitation have on the environment? What other sources of energy can you think of besides oil? Try the activities in this section to learn more about energy and the Orinoco.
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