Carolina Herrera, Latin America Advocate, Washington DC

Highlighting the ongoing international concern about the HidroAysén mega-dam proposal, the IUCN’s World Conservation Congress approved a motion calling on Chile to protect fragile natural areas in Patagonia from transmission line development linked to the controversial project.  Construction of a new transmission line to connect the HidroAysén dams to Chile’s main power grid further north would entail traversing pristine landscapes and could potentially open up the region to further industrialization.  Fortunately, however, Chile has better energy options. Rather than moving forward with destructive projects like HidroAysén, Chile should instead tap into to its abundant renewable energy resources.

Every four years IUCN members – including both government agencies and NGOS – assemble during the World Conservation Congress to discuss and decide on pressing environmental issues. Significantly, this is now the second time the IUCN assembly takes up the need to protect Patagonia from HidroAysén’s infrastructure. Back in 2008, the assembly passed a resolution calling on the Government of Chile to “evaluate the hydroelectric dams proposed for the Baker and Pascua Rivers and the associated transmission line as a single project.” 

Unfortunately, Chile did no heed this recommendation from global environmental experts. Following a ...

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