Why did Ecuador vote to stop drilling for oil?

The Yasuni National Park in Ecuador forms part of the Amazon rainforest and is one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet.

It also produces 60,000 barrels of oil per day.

In a recent referendum, held as part of Ecuador’s Presidential elections, people voted to stop drilling for oil – including the newly elected President Daniel Noboa.

We visit the town of El Coca – the gateway to the park - where the result thrilled people who are concerned about the climate. But many, especially those whose livelihoods depend on the oil industry, feel the opposite.

Presenter Sophie Eastaugh speaks to:

Lisette Arevalo, reporter in Ecuador

Alejandra Santillana, activist with Yasunidos group in Ecuador who campaigned for the vote

Fernando Santos, Ecuador’s Energy & Mining Minister

Tessa Khan, climate lawyer and cofounder of the Climate Litigation Network, UK

Navraj Singh Ghaleigh, Senior Lecturer in climate law at Edinburgh University, UK Email us: [email protected] Presenter: Sophie Eastaugh

Producer: Greg Brosnan

Production co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Jacqui Johnson

Series Producer: Alex Lewis

Editor: China Collins

Sound mix: Tom Brignell