USCCB - Global Poverty | Issues

Natural Resources and our Catholic Response

What is the issue?
From jewelry and coins to electronics and energy, the global mining and oil industries touch every part of our lives. The extraction of natural resources, such as oil, gas, copper, coal, lumber and diamonds, is a central feature of modern economies. Globalization both creates new opportunities and imposes new burdens on poor and marginalized communities where people struggle to protect their families, live in dignity and improve their lives.

Natural Resources
Many developing countries have an abundance of natural resources like oil, diamonds, and lumber. Unfortunately, the benefits of exploiting these resources do not often reach the impoverished local populations in the communities surrounding resource-rich areas. Rees Warne, Strategic Issues Advisor on Extractives at CRS, talks about how we are all connected to those who make the products we use—and how Catholics can act in solidarity to make sure that natural resources are used in a more responsible way.

How does National Resources affect real people?

Photo by CRS Staff

Yolanda Zurita is a resident of La Oroya, a mining town of 35,000 in the Andes mountains of Peru. Her community has experienced a high rate of cancers, lead poisoning, and problems of the nervous system—illnesses which many believe are related to the Doe Run mining and smelting operation nearby. Yolanda’s own father, who worked in the smelting plant for most of his life, died of complications of the nervous system.

In the late 1990s, Yolanda began to lead an effort to call for testing of the air, water, and soil in the community and to scientifically measure the impact of the mining on residents and the environment.

The Public Health Department of the Jesuit-run St. Louis University conducted an independent study two years ago that found that 97% of children had elevated levels of lead in their blood. High concentrations of other heavy metals were also found in the blood of La Oroya residents.

Now the local Archdiocese, with support from CRS, educates local people about the contaminants and advocates with the local and national government for changes in environmental policies and mining practices to reduce pollution.

Cardinal McCarrick stands with children affected by Doe Run

Photo by Francisca Vigaud-Walsh for CRS

The Democratic Republic of Congo has proved a fertile ground for natural resource extraction-with few of the benefits seen by the local populations. In the eastern Congo, over a million people have been displaced by violence, much of which is centered on-and funded with-control of valuable natural resources. Many of these displaced people live in spontaneous camps, like the one pictured here, with no formal provision for services.

USCCB and CRS invite all U.S. Catholics to

Respond to action alerts to help support policies promoting resource use that contribute to human development and reduce conflict.
Be thoughtful consumers, by

reducing, reusing, and recycling, to lessen the need for extraction of natural resources
explore ways to reduce your use of gasoline, and donate or recycle old phones, computers, and computer games
purchasing diamonds that are certified “conflict free” and jewelry made of “clean” gold, silver, and precious stones that were mined with respect for the environment and human rights
asking companies involved in extractive industries to publish what they pay
writing to companies to ensure the metals used in their products were produced in ways that did not contribute to conflict or environmental contamination.