Virunga is the most bio-diverse National Park in Africa, home to countless endangered species including a quarter of the last remaining Mountain Gorilla. It is already subject to an unprecedented level of poaching and cannot be put at further risk by allowing oil exploration or extraction from the region.

The major area of interest is beneath Lake Edward which provides a livelihood to approximately 30,000 people through fishing, not to mention the tens of thousands who rely on the lake for drinking water and food. This could all be put at risk by allowing oil companies into the region.

Our forests around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. We cannot allow the DR Congo Government to redraw the boundaries of this park to allow for oil exploitation. It will set a global precedent and show UNESCO park boundaries are meaningless and subject to change when money is involved.

As if protection of the region wasn't reason enough, many well respected scientists from around the world are agreeing we cannot continue to use fossil fuels and if we have any chance of stalling climate change they must be left in the ground.

Oil and conservation do not go hand in hand. Protect this region and the planet by saying no to oil in Virunga.