Ecuador’s voters have rejected a proposal to drill for oil in the Yasuní National Park, a protected area in the Amazon rainforest which is home to two indigenous nationalities and is considered a global biodiversity hotspot. Although it may potentially bring economic growth, the majority of Ecuadorians voted against the proposal due to its potential environmental and social impacts. By rejecting the proposal, Ecuadorians are sending a strong message that environmental protection should take priority over economic growth.
