Ready for your Spanish lesson? Passionate people in Ecuador are joining forces and sending the message to President Correa: Don’t touch the Yasuni!
The world’s spotlight continues to shine on Ecuador, that lovely jewel of a country that so captures the hearts of first-time visitors and continues to burn long after that first imprint on the soul. Often listed as one of the most attractive relocation areas for retirement, it has many jewels in its crown.
CHIMBORAZO
but there’s trouble in paradise…
Environmental disasters scar our world’s landscape; without conscience, many plunder her resources: entire mountains are mined in order to build highways, beaches are destroyed from sand mining while others look the other way or genuinely do not understand the damage those practices do to the shoreline miles away from the plundering. Mother Nature bucks like a wild bronco at times; she stretches and belches with earthquakes while volcanoes belch and blow. Where fracking has been introduced, she now has little seizures where few were ever reported. Sink holes appear as if an auger bored from beneath and yanked a plug for careful biopsy.
Correa’s recent announcement to resume drilling for oil in Ecuador’s Yasuni has inflamed many; how dare he do that? How dare he take back his promise, his vow, his vision? But wait – every country is raping or has raped it’s section of the planet. Think about the bread on our table or those cotton garments we’re wearing – forests were felled in order to grow those crops. Those forests were once majestic like the Yasuni in unique ways.
We are sometimes quick to point fingers at one country or another and say,
Shame on them! – but shame on all of us if we’re too numbed to be concerned about all of these warning flags.
Glaciers are melting. Think about that – glaciers are melting… snow caps are disappearing. That endless supply of water is going to trickle away and disappear one day, and then what will the world do to survive? There are a few pristine untouched areas of our planet. Share the message and help spotlight this conflict over the Yasuni:
Do you love jaguars? While researching this past week’s posts about the Yasuni, I found this: ” …Its (The Yasuni) incredible riches include more species of insects in one hectare than the US and Canada combined, untold amounts of plant species, and six different types of large cats. Of those, none is more dominant than the jaguar, an “umbrella” species that can be used to measure the overall health of a forest and that—despite the jaguar’s extreme tendencies to prey on all sorts of animals—indirectly helps protect the forest’s biodiversity. “ Read more on Motherboard’s article: “Ecuador may have more Jaguars than Anywhere Else in the World”
They know about the jaguar that escorted me home one full-moon night!
Another interesting one is NPR’s “Ecuador to the World… World to Ecuador”
Jama Ecuador’s Silvana joins others in Quito today in an effort to send the message, “Don’t Touch the Yasuni!” She posted several updates about the Yasuni, last night;s was the final before leaving via bus for the Andes. Read IT IS ABOUT HUMAN BEING.
Show your support for the Yasuni by wearing green and encourage others to do the same!
z
This is a great post and I love the balance in your presentation, along with your conviction. I have been struggling to respond to recent events in the Nevada desert, having learned that the BLM a few weeks ago removed the mustangs from a remote canyon I love, and placed them in a holding facility near Reno. I’ve been too sickened by this news to write about these developments, but your strength and integrity shined a light into my heart. Don’t touch the Yasuni! xo Viv
I really like your message!
Bringing more attention to global warming (etc.) is the only solution, so keep on going 🙂
then I will do the same in my country.
Z, great piece. As we have discussed, fracking is not safe and cannot be made safe. This has been proven by independent studies such as most recently by Duke University. Even the fracking engineers say the cement casing fails immediately 1 out of 20 times. Then, since it is being stretched beyond capacity it has a higher failure rate than that. But, just think about the 1 in 20. That means out of 5,000 fracking wells, 100 will fail immediately and leak gas and poisonous water into the environment. And, I haven’t even touched on the water usage that drinks so much. The industry knows this, which is the sad part, but they do not want others to know. Keep fighting. Some will make lots of money, the rest will be left holding the bag. Take care, BTG
This is such an important appeal, not only for Yasuni, but everywhere, in all countries of the world – as you point out, too, in this touching and poignant post. We are all responsible for the destruction of Mother Earth. Now imminently it’s Yasuni, but we may just as well call out about oil sand in Alaska or opening up for oil drilling in the rich archipelago of Lofoten in Norway. Let’s take them back, one by one. First we take Yasuni, no toquen el Yasuní! I’ll wear green!
All my best for this jewl. Nature is the most important. MOST important!
It would be such a shame to spoil this beautiful place. I hope the petitions are successful, Lisa. Wow, that jaguar is magnificent!
GREAT post!
Humans are an invasive species and we need to be treated as such.
This kind of thing is going on everywhere and until there are greater consequences, it will continue.
A great post Lisa and a topic I am passionate about as well. Green is my favorite color for many reasons so I will proudly wear her. I am deeply saddened at how we have squandered Mother Nature’s gifts and do not see how all of this is going to end. If we do not care for ourselves the planet on which we live, why do we not see what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren?
I hope Correa hears his countrymen, and women, and rethinks this. We have to think in bigger terms and look at the long view. Thanks Lisa!
I was just writing to someone today, telling them about the disrespectful conversation my husband and I had going on behind us at dinner last night. It’s a long story, but I feel everything – the environment, the people – it’s all crumbling down around us. Sink holes everywhere. Destruction. Mayhem! Disrespect all around. Where do we do from here? (I am done ranting).
Informative post, as they often are. Thank you, Lisa.
Sometimes I just feel like resigning from Earth.
Interesting post Zee 🙂
Beautiful photos that underscore the impact of your words. Green is favorite color – I will think of you and the Yasuni when I wear it!
So very true Z. “but shame on all of us if we’re too numbed to be concerned about all of these warning flags.”Your posting has highlighted a plight I had no knowledge of and I thank you for informing me so eloquently. I am off to discover more about this wonderful area and the destruction being inflicted by the drilling companies. Every day is an education and if we can learn to take action in a positive way then our learning has not been in vain.
Hope you have an enjoyable weekend. Regards, James
you are a very good and kind person, and i hope that one day i get to shake your hand. you set a fine example for all bloggers; you’re always courteous and well spoken, but most of all – always kind.
thanks so much!
lisa
Lisa, I am very flattered by your reply. It is just who I am I guess. I was brought up with old school values so to speak. It is lovely to hear from you and once again many thanks.
You are very welcome!
James
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