How a Nine-Year-Old Girl Won a Lawsuit Against an Oil Company
In the Latin community of Los Angeles, a young nine-year-old girl named Nellie Kobo played a pivotal role in a community fight against an oil company that allegedly caused widespread health issues.
The Beginning of the Battle
Nellie started experiencing health issues such as asthma, nosebleeds, and headaches, which led her to become involved with the fight to remove an active oil well from a populated area in South Los Angeles. Her mother found that other neighbors were also suffering similar health problems.
At first, the community managed to shut down the site temporarily through protests. However, Nellie decided to take it further by suing the city administration for stricter regulations on oil extraction. Her efforts paid off as she won the lawsuit.
Emergence of a Child Activist
Following the lawsuit, Nellie Kobo, along with young social workers and organizations, launched a criminal case against Elenco, the oil company responsible for the well. Elenco has declined to comment but stated that they have invested in complying with rules.
Remarkably, Nellie's activism has led to comparisons with the renowned environmental activist Greta Thunberg, despite her name being known locally for over a decade.
The Personal Toll
In 2010, Nellie was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19. Despite undergoing three surgeries and treatments, she continues to navigate life with this diagnosis. Her doctors have not determined the exact cause of her disease.
During an interview, Nellie reflected on her upbringing in South-central Los Angeles, where an oil well had been present since 2009. She and her family, including her mother and siblings, were affected by various health issues due to the oil well.
The Community's Journey
The community's struggle began when Nellie and her family noticed health issues affecting not just Nellie but also her mother, grandmother, and other neighbors.
Experts revealed that certain chemicals used in oil extraction, if inhaled over a long period, could harm human health. This led to the beginning of a united front as neighbors shared their stories at City Hall hearings.
The local and federal investigations led to the oil well's temporary closure in 2013, and stricter regulations were put in place in 2016.
Standing Up for Environmental Justice
In 2015, Nellie became one of the founders of the South Central Youth Leadership Coalition and sued Los Angeles for violating California's Environmental Quality Act.
She is now campaigning for a 2500-foot buffer zone between oil wells and sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, and parks to ensure better health and safety for residents. Beyond activism, Nellie is a normal teenager who loves makeup, dancing, traveling, and pursuing a career as a civil rights lawyer.
A Future Champion of Environmental Justice
On January 18, 2023, Nellie fully recovered from cancer and is now focused on advancing her career in civil rights law and eventually entering politics. Her vision of environmental justice is to allow everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status, to breathe clean air.