“Victory for the Amazon: How Ecuadorians Voted to Ban Oil Operations in Yasuni National Park”
This news post covers the historic referendum in Ecuador in 2023, where more than 10 million Ecuadorians voted to ban oil operations in part of the country’s Amazon rainforest. The referendum was celebrated by environmentalists as a win for human rights and the environment, as it will keep more than 700 million barrels of oil in the ground in the Ishpingo, Tambococha, and Tiputini (ITT) oil fields located in Yasuni National Park.
The article highlights the biodiversity of the region, home to endangered species like the jaguar, harpy eagle, and giant otter, as well as the ancestral territories of Indigenous Waorani communities. It discusses the lack of consent from local communities for oil operations and the minimal financial benefits they have received from the extraction of oil on their lands.
The use of direct democracy in the ITT referendum is noted as a significant step towards forcing fossil fuel phaseouts through people power. The article also delves into the complexities surrounding the phaseout process, including the government’s commitment to comply with the referendum, the involvement of Waorani communities in decision-making, and the potential consequences of the vote.
The reporter, Katie Surma, shares insights from her reporting on the situation, including the history of oil in Ecuador, the impact on Indigenous communities, and the challenges in obtaining official information from the government. She discusses the diverse perspectives within Waorani communities on oil operations, conservation, and sovereignty, as well as the disagreements between different groups within the community.
The article also touches on the recent decision by the Ecuadorian government to close and cap wells in the ITT fields, with a phaseout process expected to last until 2029. Concerns are raised about the government’s commitment to the phaseout, the economic impact on communities dependent on oil operations, and the potential expansion of drilling in other parts of the region.
Additionally, the news post includes updates on other climate-related issues, such as the presidential debate, efforts to improve bird habitat on farms, the link between bat populations and infant mortality, the proposal for a marine sanctuary off California’s coast, and wildfires in California and Nevada.
Overall, the article provides a detailed and well-researched overview of the ITT referendum in Ecuador, the implications for Indigenous communities and the environment, and the ongoing challenges and developments in the region.