Toxic mining in fragile ecosystems, water sources, and indigenous territories. What could possibly go wrong (again)?
This is a fight for Ecuador's future.
#savetheandes
Against the laws of nature
The Ecuadorian government granted exploratory mining concessions to 14% of its territory. These concessions were made illegally without the knowledge or approval of the people living on these lands. And it threatens over a third of Ecuador’s protected forest reserves.
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Ecuador Endangered = Earth Endangered
Ecuador — the first country in the world to get the rights of Nature written into its legal constitution — was also the country where the worst rainforest oil spill in history took place. Now the government has designated 14% of the country for mining concessions in critical headwater ecosystems and indigenous territories. This is tantamount to war on the life support system of the country and the planet. So If you live in Ecuador and enjoy drinking water and breathing air, this petition could save your life.
Sounds familiar
Recently the Ecuadorian government announced a new wave of mining concessions opening up 14% of the country’s subsurface to exploration for metals like gold and copper. Read more about the current acceleration of mining activity in our summary report in cooperation with the Rainforest Information Centre.
History repeats
The opening of the country to industrial mining is only the latest chapter in Ecuador's long history of exploitation: Spanish Conquest and colonial rule, decimation of the indigenous population and bondage under the feudal hacienda system, destruction of Ecuador's coastal rainforests by logging and industrial agriculture, the petroleum boom and the severe pollution in the Ecuadorian Amazon known internationally in the Chevron-Texaco case, among others.
Surprise – extraction industries destroy ecosystems
And these protected forest reserves, the most biodiverse on the planet, being denied their protected status.
Not a good time to be indigenous right now
The Ecuadorian Amazon region is targeted for both petroleum and mining concessions. Read below about the Shuar and other indigenous peoples and rural communities impacted by these concessions.
Mining, bad. Not mining, good.
Extractive industries have dire, long-term ecological, social, and economic consequences. This is in contrast to the claims of mining companies and government officials that promise great rewards and minimal impacts. See here for a review of the documented effects of mining.
It’s only the future at stake
Climate chaos and our best science suggests we are headed toward systems collapse. Our only viable option is to rapidly implement alternatives that help heal – rather than destroy – our planet. Development of a regenerative economy based on biodiversity and renewable energy is now totally viable. So let's do this thing.
Get Involved
A global call to action.
If you want to save one of the world's most valuable ecosystems you've come to the right place.
Take action
People of the world
Tell the government of Ecuador to prohibit mining in vital ecosystems.
Take action
Ecuadorians
Urge your government to prohibit mining in vital ecosystems.
Citizens of Ecuador
Sign here if you like drinking water
Urge the government of Ecuador to 'Prohibit mining in fragile and vital ecosystems, including protected forest reserves, water sources, and indigenous territories.' And to rescind the concessions already granted in such areas. And nothing less.
People of all nations
Sign here if you like breathing oxygen
Encourage the government of Ecuador to do the right thing. Forbid mining in all fragile and vital ecosystems, including protected forest reserves, water sources, and indigenous territories. And rescind concesions already granted in such areas.
Your signature
Ecuador is among the most biodiverse of all nations. In the last year, the Ecuadorian government has quietly granted mining concessions to over 1.7 million hectares (4.25 million acres) of protected forests and indigenous territories. These exploratory concessions were awarded to transnational corporations in closed-door deals without public knowledge or consent.
This is in direct violation of Ecuadorian law and international treaties, and will devastate headwater ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots of global importance.
Your signature helps us and our Ecuadorian partners take a stand to defend these forests, their amazing diversity of peoples and wildlife, and their critical contributions to the biosphere on which we all depend.
Your donation
We are crowdfunding to support Ecuadorian's demand that the government rescind harmful new mining concessions and prohibit mining in protected areas, fragile and vital ecosystems including protected forest reserves (Bosques Protectores), water sources, and indigenous territories.
Paul Gilding, ex-CEO of Greenpeace International, is matching the first $15,000 of donations dollar for dollar. He's a good guy. And good guys don't let vital ecosystems get devastated.
Your money will also help fund a publicity campaign with the coalition of Ecuadorian civil society groups, demanding an open dialogue on development. This will focus on 'Extractivism vs Sustainability' and will show how development models based on conservation, biodiversity, renewable energy and human potential are better for everyone. Costa Rica banned all open-pit mining in 2010 and today has much better socioeconomic indicators than Ecuador.
Donate
Help fund the on the ground campaign by contributing what you can.
Join our 39+ backers
Help fund the on the ground campaign by contributing what you can.
Join our 1200+ supporters
Sign the global petition with the Rainforest Information Centre
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