Ecuador Takes Leadership Role on Climate Change
NEW YORK, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ecuador's President
Rafael Correa today presented the Yasuni-ITT Initiative at a United Nations
meeting of world leader's on global climate change. This pioneering
initiative is an unprecedented proposal by an oil exporting country to
leave its largest oil reserve unexploited to contribute to the reduction of
global greenhouse gases and to initiate Ecuador's transition toward the
world's first truly sustainable economy.
A key part of this initiative is to avoid oil extraction activities in
Yasuni National Park, home to at least two indigenous tribes that live in
voluntary isolation and one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Ecuador
proposes to leave the nearly one billion barrel ITT oilfield unexploited in
order to preserve Yasuni's astounding biodiversity, ecosystem services, and
the cultural integrity of its indigenous inhabitants.
Ecuador is proposing to forgo the revenue from oil production because
it believes the value of avoiding climate change and deforestation is of
greater value to Ecuador and the planet as a whole.
Speaking about the proposal, President Correa stated, "For the first
time in history, an oil producing country -- dependent on oil exports for
one third of its budget -- proposes to forgo this income for the well-being
of humanity ... [Ecuador] invites the world to join our effort -- through
fair compensation -- in order to lay the foundations for a more humane and
fair civilization."
Nevertheless, it should be recognized that highly industrialized
countries have contributed over half of the atmospheric carbon dioxide
emissions to date, and should therefore assume stronger targets for
greenhouse gas reductions and greater commitments of support to initiatives
that combat additional increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas
concentrations.
Ecuador, whose historic carbon dioxide emissions amount to less than
0.5% of the existing rise from pre-industrial levels, offers a novel model
of avoided emissions that would keep nearly 436 million tons of carbon
dioxide permanently sequestered in the ground, thus voluntarily
contributing to global climate change mitigation.
It is also the first time in history that a country dependent on oil
exports for one third of its income has proposed forgoing oil extraction to
support global sustainability objectives, and invites the world to help
Ecuador achieve its goal of transitioning toward a new green economy. This
initiative highlights Ecuador's commitment to transform its economy and
pursue energy independence by supporting alternative energy use and
increasing opportunities for job creation.
Ecuador's vision is that the Yasuni-ITT Initiative will eventually
underwrite the implementation of the National Development Plan. This Plan
prioritizes the use of renewable energy, efficient transportation systems,
poverty eradication and equitable access to quality healthcare and
education. The Plan also includes promotion of ecotourism and sustainable
development for Ecuador's Amazonian region. |
