The Amazon Basin, the largest continuous rainforest in the world, holds most of the world's fresh water and contains some of the highest biodiversity on the planet. Perhaps more significantly, the Amazon also acts as one of the most important carbon sinks on Earth. However, this immense sea of green and the people that inhabit it are also suffering from the long-term effects of oil contamination, as carbon-producing areas continue to expand throughout the forest.

In Ecuador, oil has been pumped from the Amazon for decades, amounting to billions of dollars in profits for corporations while destroying the forest, and harming the health and economies of local communities. Yet, Ecuadorians strive to stop oil companies from operating in the Amazon. Since 2003, some 30,000 indigenous people from the northern Ecuadorian Amazon have been fighting an historic case against the oil giant Chevron, based in San Ramon, California. From 1964 to 1992, Texaco (which transferred operations to Chevron after being bought out in 2001) unleashed a toxic "Rainforest Chernobyl" in Ecuador, leaving more than 600 unlined pits of oil in pristine rainforest and dumping 18.5 billion gallons of toxic production water into rivers used for irrigation and bathing by local people. If successful, the case Aguinda v. Texaco, will be the first class-action lawsuit ever to hold a multinational company accountable for its environmental destruction and resulting health effects.

Amazonian communities have fought hard to protect their health, cultures, and the well-being of the Amazon Basin from the increasing threat of oil drilling, yet oil consumption continues. Travel with Global Exchange to Ecuador to examine the effects of our oil addiction on one of the most important biospheres of the planet. Meet with indigenous organizations who have organized collectively to hold oil companies responsible for environmental contamination; travel to southern Amazonian communities who are building self-sustainable models of commerce, agriculture and ecotourism to defend against oil activity; experience the incredible diversity of primary Amazonian forest on nature walks; and learn how we can change an economic model based on oil towards a sustainable model for the world's future.

Program Highlights:

• How is the future of the Ecuador being shaped by the rise of Rafael Correa, the leftist president? Learn about the shifting political paradigms of new leadership in South America. What are Ecuador's aspirations for the future?
• What is the history of oil development in Ecuador? Learn about historic ongoing court-battles against Chevron and other petroleum companies like CGC, and see the impacts of petroleum exploitation for yourself.
• Visit with representatives of indigenous Amazon nations to hear about their struggles and successes. Learn about their community development programs and the importance of their nature reserves and tourism projects in their battles against petroleum companies.
• Explore the cosmovisions, cultures, and healing methods of Amazonian and Andean communities. How are public and indigenous initiatives for health and education sustaining cultural survival?
• Discuss environmental, social, and economic rights with activists and leaders in Quito as you uncover the consequences of "free trade."
• Travel to fair trade cooperatives to learn about the concept of a solidarity-based economy and bring these lessons back to your home community!
• All highlights and activities subject to change, as conditions permit. Please contact Program Coordinator for sample itinerary and details.

Cost: $1400

Price Includes:

• Double-room accommodations; on-ground transportation including airport pick-up and drop-off; Global Exchange bilingual trip leader; preparatory reading and orientation materials; admission and fees to all program activities; two meals a day (breakfast and dinner).
• NOT INCLUDED: airfare, airport departure taxes, lunches, tips, and personal expenses. Single rooms are available for an additional $200.
• Please note: all Global Exchange participants who arrive and depart on scheduled trip dates are guaranteed airport transportation. Please notify program coordinator with special travel arrangements.

How to Register:

This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. In some cases, a limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.

Make your reservation online now!

Contact Sneh with any questions about this trip, or call toll-free 1-800-497-1994 ext. 221.