Embed Notice

Yesterday, the people of #Ecuador made history! In an exceptional referendum 58% of them voted #SÍalYasuní – to end oil drilling in #Yasuní National Park and instead protect the forest and its people! 💚

“Finally, we are going to kick oil companies out of our territory! This is a major victory for all #Indigenous peoples, for the animals, the plants, the spirits of the forest and our #climate,” says indigenous activist Nemonte Nenquimo in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/21/ecuador-votes-to-halt-oil-drilling-in-amazonian-biodiversity-hotspot

Three days before, she explained the importance, history and uniqueness of the referendum in this op-ed: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/18/stop-oil-ecuador-fossil-fuel-democracy

Local communities around the world have a right to decide what happens on their lands and defend it against the interests of corporate greed. The people of Ecuador are now exercising this right. They are a shining example for the rest of us. It's up to them to ensure their governement obeys the vote. It's up to us to make sure that our governements and western #oil companies don't get in their way!