The fate of Yasuní National Park hangs in the balance. On August 15, Ecuador’s government announced it would allow foreign oil companies drill in the northeastern part of this Amazonian rainforest.
With almost 600 species of birds and up to 100,000 species of insects, Yasuní is one of the most biodiverse spots on Earth. In fact, it contains more tree species in one hectare than all of North America’s native trees combined. Indigenous peoples, too, make their home in this river-crossed rainforest. But the park sits on top of vast stores of crude oil. And the international oil lobby has made tapping Yasuní a top priority.
For years, Global Greengrants Fund has supported groups like Acción Ecológica, Amazonia por La Vida, and Oilwatch Ecuador to generate strong enough political will within Ecuador to pressure the government to protect Yasuní. In 2007, President Rafael Correa offered up a unique proposal. The government would leave more than 840 million barrels of oil untouched if the international community invested $3.6 billion in Ecuador. The proposal would keep 400 million tons of climate-warming carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. It sounds like a brilliant plan—compensate us and we won’t have to drill.
However, Ecuadorian activists have been skeptical since day one, and they have been forming a movement to save Yasuní, in case the international community wouldn’t put up enough money. Their suspicions were confirmed when Correa announced the Ecuadorian government would approve oil exploration in Yasuní after international support brought in only $13 million.
“The government doesn’t have the right to dissolve the initiative because this doesn’t belong to them,” said Global Greengrants grantee Esperanza Martinez, president of the Acción Ecológica, in a statement to the Guardian. “The initiative was a proposal that came from civil society.”
In 2012, Global Greengrants funded development of the Age of Yasuní iPhone game, plus, we have supported local campaigns to gather signatures, hold 200 talks in schools and universities, publish more than 100 newspaper editorials, and lead demonstrations. As a result of these efforts and awareness raising by other organizations, more than 80 percent of Ecuadorians now oppose drilling in Yasuní.
But will broad awareness of the issue and a strong sense of national pride save Yasuní from becoming just another contaminated oil field?
Correa has been negotiations with Chinese oil companies since last year, and roads and infrastructure are already being built. So, years of movement building will now culminate in a legal and political battle for Yasuní, as activists force a referendum to try to block the government from approving drilling. Three Global Greengrants grantees, including Acción Ecológica, have already submitted language to the constitutional court.
Global Greengrants board member and internationally renowned activist Nnimmo Bassey expressed his outrage at last week’s announcement: “Now, the only hope that remains is the reaction from the people of Ecuador. This act brings to the fore the critical struggle that we must wage around the world to ensure that elected officials do not usurp our sovereignty after being sworn into office. And the protests that greeted the announcement is a sign that the people of Ecuador are clear about the fact that the decision to allow the assault on Yasuní is not with the consent of the people.”
YOUR TURN TO WEIGH IN: What should the international community’s role be in protecting Yasuní National Park?