As we very well know, wealth from natural resources tends to line the pockets of the already rich, leaving the rest to wallow in poverty.

But we have the power to put an end to this injustice.

A proposed amendment to the Senate's Wall Street reform legislation would require oil, gas and mining industries to disclose payments made to foreign governments in connection with energy projects in those countries. The amendment, proposed by Senators Ben Cardin and Dick Lugar, would increase transparency, helping to diminish corruption and in turn fight poverty. And the new law would benefit U.S. energy security by helping to create more stable energy partners for us around the globe.

It's up to us to take action. Our friends at the One Campaign and Oxfam have already started campaigns to hold governments accountable for their management of revenue from energy resources. Will you stand by the people of poor nations and tell your Senator to support the Cardin-Luger amendment today? It could be any day now that this legislation reaches the Senate floor, so we need to act quickly!

Photo Credit: Pimento of Doom