Update of the subject of health, energy, climate and pollution in chile, august 2011

Abstract

A series of papers have been published on the subject in Cuadernos, starting in 2005 (1-11). A systematic compilation of events in 2011 and until now, is here presented: – regarding nuclear energy, the characteristics of the disaster in Fukujima and its repercusions in the world and in Chile; – regarding polluting sources, the spray of SO2 fallen on the children of La Greda; – concerning the emisión of greenhouse gases, the permission granted for resumption of work on the large coal based electric plant at Campiche, and – the approval given to the huge coal based project in Hacienda Castilla (Atacama) – the authorization of HidroAysen project, consisting of five large dams in the South of Chile. Some of the latest manifestations of anthropogenic climate change in the world and in Chile are mentioned and, confronting those, the possibilities open for the immediate use of clean and safe sources of energy, which abound in Chile. The issue is raised of the absence, in our country, of a government policy for energy, that takes into consideration its relationships with climate change and with the consequent risks for health and life as well as with the excessive price paid for electricity in this country.