SOME OF THE CONCERNS:
ENVIRONMENTAL
In 1835, Charles Darwin and his team spent 5-weeks in the Galapagos Islands, they left with observations which lead to the Theory of Evolution through natural selection. For hundreds of years explorers and scientists have been traveling to the land that is now Ecuador to understand how its environment works.
With the ecological crisis that our planet currently faces, now is the time to understand the environments where we live and to figure out ways to live in them without disrupting them further.
OIL EXPLOITAION
Oil companies such as Exxon and Chevron Texaco have been particularly negligent when it comes to drilling in Ecuador. Many gallons of crude oil and toxic waste are spilled into the waterways of the Amazon each year. A few investigations into the health of local communities have found an increase of miscarriages and some cases of cancer and leukemia to local residents which are being attributed to these conditions.
Little guys are trying to take a stand against these big corporations. In fact, we will be collaborating with a business that is doing great things for its community, the La Selva Jungle Lodge. For more than 20 years, they have been working to ensure the preservation of their community and its resources, all the while sustaining a working relationship with their ecological surroundings. They have even received awards for the efforts, such as the Ecoclub.com’s Ecotourism Award.
THE INDIGENOUS MOVEMENT
Ecuador’s large indigenous population has grown stronger. One third of the population is comprised of indigenous people and it is considered to be amongst the strongest in Latin America. Although this movement is growing and gaining momentum, there is still much work to be done. And there are still voices being neglected and unheard. In fact, there are 14 nationalities in Ecuador, some are alive and some are almost dead. These unique cultures each have stories to tell… that’s where we come in.
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