The vast majority of transnational corporations are primarily involved in at least one of three resource extraction industries: oil exploration and production; logging and timber milling; and mining and mineral processing. Most of these logging, mining and oil drilling operations take place in forests,--often tropical rainforest--which are almost always homes to indigenous communities. The resource extraction activities are not only immensely disruptive and catastrophic to the native peoples who make their livelihoods on these lands; the processes are also inherently very messy and environmentally destructive. Many of the processes used in extracting these resources produce toxic pollution that contaminates local water supplies, pollutes the air, and poisons the soil, causes erosion, and destroys habitat and food sources.
        The United States and other 'developed' nations that have already largely developed or exhausted most of their own resources, tend to have legislation designed to protect communities and the environment--even though these laws often go largely unenforced. Presently, most resource extraction operations take place in regions where the resources have not yet been developed, (i.e., Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Siberia...) and often there are fewer laws in place to protect communities, workers, and the environment. Many of these countries also lack the economic resources (and democratic infrastructures) to adequately enforce laws to regulate industries and to protect endangered communities. Consequently, transnational corporations are, as a whole, having a devastating impact upon the global environment and indigenous populations around the world. To learn more about these impacts and the many campaigns to defend indigenous peoples, check out Mining, Logging, and Oil Production on ICR's Industries page.