Last fall, thousands of Amazon Watch supporters signed a petition demanding the protection of Ecuador’s last Indigenous peoples living in voluntary isolation in Yasuní National Park. And now we have excellent news to share!
Our ally, Yasunidos, has campaigned for the last decade to hold a national referendum to protect Yasuní and the peoples living there. After great efforts from the collective and with your support, a special election will be held this August where Ecuadorians will decide on a historic referendum to restrict oil in Yasuní National Park. Voters will have the opportunity to protect the rainforest by answering the question, “Do you agree that the government should keep the oil in ITT, known as Block 43, permanently in the ground?”
The referendum’s approval would halt new oil expansion activity, allowing no new wells and no new contracts. It would also require the closure of all currently-producing wells and the removal of all infrastructure.
This referendum going to the polls is a huge victory for the Amazon and its Indigenous communities in voluntary isolation! The protection of Yasuní is crucial: It is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, and any invasions by oil and extractive activity could further destabilize our global climate and destroy the territory of the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples.
Thank you for your support and engagement in these efforts. We appreciate your commitment to the Amazon, its Indigenous communities, and its allies like Yasunidos.
