The Yasuní area of the Republic of Ecuador holds the biggest oil reserve ever found in the country. It is located in the Amazon rain forest - home to a huge diversity of natural species (plants, animals, untouched tribes) and also one of the most vital lungs that plays a role in regulating climate worldwide. If oil is extracted in Yasuní, this will endanger millions of species and the world would loose one of its already scarce purifying lungs.
The problem
The Ecuadorian government needs economic resources to continue its plans to improve the life of its people and lead them out from poverty and ignorance with dignity. Not to extract oil from Yasuní means not making use of an potentially enormous source of revenue. The Ecuadorian government, with the initiative Yasuní-Itt, has come up with a revolutionary plan: In exchange for saving the Yasuni rainforest, they are asking for a $300,000,000,000 compensation. This sum needs to be raised by the economically leading countries of the world, in a collective effort to save one of the last remaining rain forests. The money goes into a trust fund managed by the UN. There is a deadline settled for this upcoming July, after which it will have to be decided if Yasuní-Itt can live on. Right now, only few of the donor countries have expressed their willingness to participate, partly because of the unprecedented novelty of the idea.
Our proposal
We believe that the solution is in the hand of all the people around the world, not only the big governments or corporations.The people should be aware of this problem and get involved. Everyone could contribute by 1) making a small donation or by 2) putting pressure on their government to consider the Ecuadorian government proposal.
Goal of this contest
We need you to help us come up with ideas we can present to the Ecuadorian government, ideas how we can reach out to the people of the world and create a global movement out of saving Yasuní. Because the task cant be too complex, we are focusing on option 1) and are looking for creative fundraising ideas. With really convincing ideas at hand, the government may extend the deadline before oil extraction begins.
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