In response to intense pressure from indigenous and environmental organizations opposed to drilling for oil in an Amazon rainforest, Ecuador has gone to the world and asked for financial help, according to the Environmental News Service.
The oil fields under Yusani National Park are estimated to contain 900 million to 1 billion barrels of oil, about one-quarter of Ecuador’s total reserves. In about a year, international oil companies will be allowed to bid for the right to drill.
To avoid this fate, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is asking the international community for about $350 million a year. For more, please see the rest of the news in Grist. Here’s a picture of the Yasuni:
Kit Stolz 