Teacher
17th August 2013, 04:14
This story is of relevance to those who think that sound ecology and capitalism are compatible. Even under the leadership of a venerable "left" leader like Correa, the drive to accumulate capital and extract profits from natural resources eventually wins out.
I remember watching a documentary called Ecuador on Netflix only a few days ago that was lauding Correa for his political courage and virtue in refusing to drill. So much for that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/energy-environment/ecuador-drops-plan-to-ban-drilling-in-jungle.html?ref=global-home&_r=0
Six years ago, President Rafael Correa of Ecuador offered the world what he considered an enticing deal: donate $3.6 billion to a trust fund intended to protect nearly 4,000 square miles of the Amazon jungle and his country would refrain from oil drilling in the rain forest.
The plan won applause from environmentalists, and international luminaries like Bo Derek and Leonardo DiCaprio opened their wallets. The plan was backed by the United Nations, but governments generally balked at contributing, and only $13 million was collected.
The world has failed us, President Correa said as he withdrew the offer in a nationally televised news conference on Thursday night. With deep sadness but also with absolute responsibility to our people and history, I have had to take one of the hardest decisions of my government.
I remember watching a documentary called Ecuador on Netflix only a few days ago that was lauding Correa for his political courage and virtue in refusing to drill. So much for that.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/energy-environment/ecuador-drops-plan-to-ban-drilling-in-jungle.html?ref=global-home&_r=0
Six years ago, President Rafael Correa of Ecuador offered the world what he considered an enticing deal: donate $3.6 billion to a trust fund intended to protect nearly 4,000 square miles of the Amazon jungle and his country would refrain from oil drilling in the rain forest.
The plan won applause from environmentalists, and international luminaries like Bo Derek and Leonardo DiCaprio opened their wallets. The plan was backed by the United Nations, but governments generally balked at contributing, and only $13 million was collected.
The world has failed us, President Correa said as he withdrew the offer in a nationally televised news conference on Thursday night. With deep sadness but also with absolute responsibility to our people and history, I have had to take one of the hardest decisions of my government.