So much for pristine wilderness. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is building momentum behind the Southern Gas Pipeline; a proposed 21-billion-dollar (U.S.) structure that would connect Venezuela's rich natural gas fields to Argentine markets. Unfortunately, such a pipeline would cross some very ecologically-sensitive areas, including Brazil's Amazon rain forest. Maria Eugenia Bustamante, co-director of AMIGRANSA, a Venezuelan environmental group, had this to say,

"This plan is a gigantic threat to fishing and farming communities, from the Gulf of Paria [between northeastern Venezuela and the island of Trinidad] all the way to the Great Savannah, which is part of the Canaima National Park."

Undaunted by any environmental impact, President Chavez still plans on pushing ahead with the pipeline. His main reasons are to stem regional gas shortages, unite the continent's energy networks, and 'sidestep economic dependence on the United States.' He stands behind his vision of a 'frightening energy crisis by 2020' in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay if something isn't done.

Ah yes, our continued reliance on fossil fuels. Will money truly hold us back from coming up with a cleaner and more efficient resource? Will we sacrifice everything we have before finally coming to this realization? If there's even a way, let's hope this pipeline is constructed with the environment in mind. It would be a shame to ruin some of the most unique and green locales on Earth.

Soure: National Geographic News