Ecuador may seem distant to you, but it is right on your doorstep. That is, if Ecuador's decision to protect Yasuni, a national park, and the most important biodiversity hotspot on the planet, fails - and oil drilling begins there - the international community will have to answer for failing to prevent violation of human rights, as well as pollution, extinction, and further effects on Climate Change. 

Yasuni, in Ecuador, is a national park home to an incredible number of unique species, and to two of the world's last uncontacted tribes. Yet it is under looming threat from exploitation of its recently discovered oil reserves. These oil reserves, if drilled, could lead to extinction of many species and severe risk to the indigeneous tribes.

The Ecuadorian government promised to protect Yasuni park if it receives half of the value of the $7.2bn oil reserves from the international community. It has set up a trust fund for the international community to donate to. 

"Huge ecological wealth is at risk. One Yasuni hectare – the area of two football pitches – is home to a wider variety of trees, birds, reptiles and amphibians than in the US and Canada combined."​

"Despite the many challenges faced by Yasuni, conservationists still hope Ecuador and Yasuni can set a model for conservation. A few billion dollars here, they say, is the best investment humanity can make in its future."

Petition the UK government to pledge to donate a substantial sum to the Ecuador Yasuni ITT Trust Fund and thus support the battle against Climate Change and extinction of species.

Yet the plot thickens. A contract has apparently been signed which allows the Petroamazonas oil company to begin prospecting the site. And the indigenous people of Yasuni have vowed to fight this decision with their lives.

Petition the UK government to speak out against Petroamazonas, the state-backed oil company, and thus protect the human rights and the lives of the Kichwa villagers in Yasuni.