Rain Forest for Ransom.

The article discusses the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, a plan developed by Ecuador in which Ecuador would avoid drilling for oil under Yasuni National Park if given a sufficient amount of donations by the international community. Yasuni, a park located in the Amazon river basin which has been called the most biodiverse spot in the world, is located over a large amount of crude oil. Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa has argued that Ecuador needs petroleum resources to develop the country and that conservation is only sustainable if it benefits the poor in the country. Other topics include the political stability of Ecuador, support for indigenous peoples, and international responsibility for biodiversity conservation.