South America's most southern tip. It is one of the most untouched pieces of land in the world, yet it is now under threat. Chile's Patagonia is home to the snow-capped Andes, dense tempeverrate rainforests, lush valleys and meadows, abundant marine and bird species, and indeginous natives. Companies want to establish hydro-electric complexes that would be constructed over three rivers. If this does happen in the Patagonia the list given above would be devastated. These potential dams would, flood about 14,000 acres of land and whip out wildlife, a 1,2000mile long transmission line would disrupt the wildrenss and impact many private properties. Finally, people living in the Patagonia would be left with out a home
All of these could be devastated if a proposed hydro-electric complex called HidroAysén is constructed on two of the last free-flowing rivers in the world.
Rio Baker. The dam complexes would be constructed over this river |
Chilean's and other organizations over the world have protested againts the dams. The government has been signing initiatives with the United States for these projects and when the people lobby againts the these projects they get ignored. Since they get ignored they protest and thier demands are
They are calling for:
- Fuel subsidies to compensate for high prices
- A regionalised minimum wage to reflect the local cost of living
- The establishment of a regional state-funded university
- More generous fishing quotas for local fishermen
- A greater say in the construction of hydroelectric plants
- Cheaper electricity and drinking water.(BBC)
Protesters againts the dams |
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/11/patagonia-rising-documentary-chile-dam_n_1587174.html
http://www.nrdc.org/international/patagonia/