More About Sarayaku

Sarayaku: People of the Zenith

As in other parts of the Amazon, the Ecuadorian government imposed oil concession blocks in Sarayaku territory without their permission. They only learned that their land had been opened for oil exploration when the helicopters arrived, followed by the men with guns. But instead of becoming another story of pollution and devastation, the story of Sarayaku has been one of resistance. More

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Chevron CEO Confronted by Human Rights and Environmental Movement and Shareholders at Annual Meeting

Five shareholder resolutions call on company to end its environmental destruction and rights abuses

May 29th, 2019

"We will continue to denounce the crime that Chevron committed until it takes responsibility for the environmental damage for which Texaco – which merged with Chevron in 2001 – is wholly responsible. We want you to understand that we – the affected indigenous and campesino communities will not falter until we have achieved our goal that your company pay for its crime and remediates our Amazon rainforest."

Amazon Watch Statement Regarding the Decision to Delay Licensing of Ecuadorian Oil Blocks 86 and 87

May 10th, 2019

"The decision to put a hold on auctioning blocks 86 and 87 shows that the advocacy made by Shiwiar, Sapara, and Kichwa indigenous peoples to protect their territories, that are part of the best preserved tropical forests in the country, has been successful. While we celebrate this victory, we know that the next step must not be further 'socializations.' It must instead be the permanent cancellation of these oil blocks, which communities have already roundly rejected."

Respect Rights and Traditional Knowledge to Protect Mother Earth

May 2, 2019

Once a year, the United Nations Headquarters in New York welcomes hundreds of indigenous leaders and representatives from around the world for the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Amazon Watch spent the week accompanying and amplifying the voices and solutions of Amazonian leaders from Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.

Amazon in Focus 2019 / 2017-2018 Annual Report

Spring 2019

Protecting and restoring the Amazon, indigenous rights, and the climate, requires greater unity across movements. Accomplishing the required transition from fossil fuels and protection of indigenous stewards of vital forests is the most urgent task we face today. We hope that you will join us in partnership this year and for many years to come.

Defending Rights, Building Unity, and Protecting the Amazon Sacred Headwaters

February 12, 2019

In the remote, roadless rainforest territories along the border between Ecuador and Peru, over a dozen indigenous nationalities have launched an initiative to permanently protect about 60 million acres from industrial extraction and stop the drivers of deforestation. Dubbed the Amazon Sacred Headwaters, the initiative seeks to present a united front against the pressures on these indigenous territories and address climate change by keeping forests standing and fossil fuels in the ground.

Ecuador's Corruption Hangover

January 10, 2019

Despite efforts to curb corruption, President Moreno is following the same oil-stained playbook that helped get Ecuador into a cycle of debt and dependency. He has green-lighted new drilling in Yasuní National Park and plans to open up areas in the country's roadless southern rainforest, still hoping that Ecuador can drill its way to prosperity.

Good News for Yasuní Park and Indigenous Rights!

December 24, 2018

Last week, Ecuador's Energy Minister, Carlos Pérez García, announced that – at least for now – the government will not pursue oil drilling in the "buffer zone" protected areas of Yasuní National Park, reversing plans revealed last month in a leaked draft decree. This is an important victory for our collective work to keep fossil fuels in the ground from California to the Amazon!

Portraits: Women Defenders of the Amazon

December 20, 2018

For decades, oil companies have taken advantage of the resource-rich land of the western Amazon, violating the basic human rights of the indigenous people while simultaneously inflicting harm and destroying the beautiful rainforest. Indigenous communities have responded with powerful messages, defending their land at all costs. At the forefront of this ongoing battle are the strong, resilient indigenous women Earth Defenders.

Ecuador Walks Back Oil Drilling Plans in Amazon Rainforest

December 19, 2018

"Minister Pérez' announcement sends a clear message: civil society pressure to defend rights and ecosystems works, and expanding the fossil fuel frontier deeper into Ecuador's Amazon presents risks to companies and problems for the state. This is an important victory for our collective work to keep fossil fuels in the ground from California to the Amazon."

Ecuador's Yasuní Bait and Switch

December 6, 2018

While Ecuadorian government officials were busy touting the country's advances to reduce emissions at COP 24 in Poland, activists gathered outside the country's Environment Ministry to protest government plans to greatly expand oil drilling in its remote Amazon rainforest and indigenous lands. These are fossil fuels the planet can ill afford to burn.