Like the Huaorani, the Matsés are fiercely independent people who want to protect their land and way of life ©acaté
In the steps of their brethren in Brazil, the Huaorani (Waorani) people are vowing to defend their ecosystems from the land grabbing and petroleum speculation being proposed by the Ecuadorian government led by Rafael Correa.
A fight to the death in defense, and respect, of Pachamama
Recently, we wrote about the omnipresent threats to indigenous communities in the Amazon, specifically in Ecuador and Peru. We also shared petition links that you can still support and sign, to urge President Correa to halt petroleum and natural gas speculation in the tropical rainforests of Ecuador.
In light of this news reaching the indigenous communities impacted by such abuse and exploitation, Amerindians like the Huaorani are vowing to fight to the death to defend their ecosystems and ways of life.
Thankfully, journalists like Roy Klabin are giving voice to the voice-less and sharing this information with the public. Please read the short article in its entirety, and then please share it amongst your social networks, co-workers, etc.
> In 2007, Ecuador offered to guarantee the preservation of the rain-forest by leaving the estimated 850 million barrels of oil beneath the jungle floor untouched, in exchange for $3.5 billion — half the revenue expected to be generated by drilling. In theory, the international community could have united to pay Ecuador’s ransom, avoided an added 400 million metric tons of carbon emissions, and assured the Amazon’s beauty for generations to come. Unfortunately, after the 2008 economic collapse few politicians were eager to sell eco-conservation as a priority issue, and by 2012, only $200 million had been pledged.
> The apathy of most nations speaks volumes, and their own natural settings haven’t been saved from oil spills and fracking chemical leaks. To some degree, Ecuador cannot be blamed for wanting to move forward with its own industrialization, but its last remaining opposition is a determined indigenous population that considers the jungle their sacred home — and refuses to see it violated without a vicious fight.
These are the pressures we’re up against in our mission to support and empower the tribal communities of one of the last great, intact biomes on earth. If we don’t rally together and protect what Pachamama (Mother Nature) has created, we’ll lose more than just flora, fauna, and cultures, we’ll lose our greatest teachers.
Thank you.