WHAT DOES THE RACE IN YASUNÍ

Sunday, January 20, 2013

The million dollar question: What does the race do for Yasuni?

WHAT DOES THE RACE DO FOR YASUNÍ?

The cause of the Solidario 10K(10k in solidarity) and the 21x24 Challenge is to awaken consciousness about what the Yasuni is, so we can feel that it’s ours and avoid its exploitation. Any remaining funds from the 10k solidarity race will be given to two universities PUCE and USFQ who are working on the ground on a daily basis, so they can continue protecting, investigating and disseminating how marvellous the park is.

Running for the Yasuni is a civilian initiative, not political it’s about loving nature and against the exploitation of the sacred forest.

THREE reasons to protect the Yasuni:

•         First, because it’s ours. It belongs to each Ecuadorian and we enjoy its beauty. The forest cannot be exploited without our consent.

•         Second, because what is on the surface which is the forest, if left untouched, is endless. It reproduces itself, its natural resources increase. In contrast, the underground oil resources last only a few months and the money earned from it will reach us only a little, if any by the time it ends with the Forest’s lifeline. This would leave us empty handed.

•         Third, what happens to the Forest will rebound on us sooner or later. Our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences. The Forest is where rain comes from, which means where water comes from. That’s where oxygen comes from, which means fresh air.

Our sole proposal is: for you to go and see this wonder for yourself... what you know, you come to love. How to reach Yasuni? [1]

What is Yasuní?  It is a million hectare large untouched tropical rainforest located between the provinces of Orellana and Pastaza in Ecuador. It has the greatest biological richness on the planet, as regards water and land. It is the last biosphere reserve, which means it covers all of Europe’s CO2 emissions (it is the world’s lung). It has more species of plants and animals tan all of the US and Canada together. And it’s ours! We are so proud!

Foreign tourists want to see virgin rainforests. They don’t want to see Coca or Nueva Loja, or el Puyo, their streets are smothering and stripped. What they want to see is a fresh and peaceful forest. There are more utilities; particularly long-term ones in the Forest than there are underground, for Ecuador.

The book Yasuní, Tiputini and the Web of Life by Oxford, Bish and Swing says: let this book be a celebration of what the Yasuni National Reserve holds and not a historical recount of what it once was.

Fortunately, 78% of all Ecuadorians want to preserve the reserve.

We will continue summoning people to run for Yasuni. The next circuit is on the coastline, in the province of Manabi. And so on until God gives us strength. Luckily, the next generation of aware youngsters is coming. They will be less consumer-driven and they will take the next step.

For sure, you are in that same group!

[1]  TBS Tiputini Biosiversity Station: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/programas_academicos/Tiputini/Paginas/About-us.aspx; ECY Yasuní Scientific Station: http://www.yasuni.ec/yasuni.php?c=1314; Napo Wildlife Center www.napowildlifecenter.com  It’s not easy for tourists... But, if you show true interest and respect, you can reach Paradise.