Betrayed
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa campaigned on indigenous peoples' rights and rainforest protection; his proposed "debt for nature" swap and his speech to the U.N. Climate Summit inspired the world. It’s not surprising that indigenous tribes initially supported Correa. But now his government is planning to auction off to international oil companies 10 million acres in the Amazon. The area to be auctioned includes the Yasuni National Park, home of one of the most biodiverse stretches of rainforest on the planet. It is a spectacular land teeming with one-of-a-kind plants and animals.
The government claims indigenous people are "poor" and that oil drilling will improve their way of life. But they believe just the opposite. They give rousing speeches about how the jungle provides ample food, clean water, medicine, housing materials -- everything they need for "buen vivir" (a phrase that means, roughly, to live the good life). They talk earnestly about how drilling would poison their streams and destroy their rainforest home, while providing them virtually no economic benefit.
The Threat from Big Oil and the Government
Indigenous groups, and their allies have organized protests in Quito, Paris, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Calgary. Their resistance has achieved some success: thus far only 3 of 16 tracts proposed for oil drilling have been auctioned off, while the other tracts failed to receive bids.
Because of the success of the protests the Ecuadorian government is now attempting to take down indigenous leaders for defending their territory from oil development plans. The Secretary of Hydrocarbons has filed a formal complaint against eight indigenous leaders who have dedicated their lives to defending the Amazon and organizing indigenous communities to oppose Ecuador's plans.
Now is the time to remind Correa that by returning to the concept of "debt for nature" he has an historic opportunity to lead the world towards a sustainable and just future. By restoring the protection of Yasuni and leaving the oil in the ground his example would inspire people all around the globe. We need to urge him to do the right thing and respect the rights and wishes of indigenous people.
Tell Ecuador's President Rafael Correa: The world is watching -- protect the irreplaceable Amazon and halt all plans for oil drilling. Tell him that by doing so he will become a true leader in the world community!
