Social and environmental leaders of Latin America join together in The Summit for Friendship and Solidarity and deliver their support to the Chilean movement, gathered in the Council for the Defense of Patagonia, against projects of transnational companies that endanger the natural patrimony, environmental and cultural of Chilean Patagonia.
These types of transnational initiatives, that seek to dam Chilean rivers, represent a constant threat to the environment that is not consistent with the sustainable development of the Aysen Region or the future vision established by most residents of this territory through distinct participative processes.
We, the organizations joined in this instance of closeness and dialogue among the peoples of Latin America, consider that intervening on such a large scale the most important rivers—in flow, biodiversity and tourist potential—not only would truly kill these rivers but would also act against all forms of life in the river basins, as well as against the conditions of life and the vision of those who inhabit this land and have respect for the integral development and future of its communities.
We believe that it is necessary to move forward a process of development for an equitable wealth distribution policy that generates great protection for the most vulnerable social sectors and strengthens the collective responsibility over individual profit. Concentration of water ownership and electricity generation are obstacles for equitable access to water resources and the conservation of ecosystems, issues that are intimately related. The construction of the hydroelectric power plants will change the river flow, causing changes in the structure and functionality of aquatic ecosystems, with irreversible consequences for the affected river basins.
Finally we propose that the search for solutions to the energy supply of countries should be inclined toward the urgent necessity of implementing a policy of energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy alternatives on a small scale to the total length of the territory and adequately and rationally administering our natural resources.
The objective of future projects should be oriented to the common good and not to the benefit of huge corporations that threaten the environmental patrimony of our territories. The development of Aysen, Chile and the world, should be based on initiatives that contain values of respect for the citizens and protection and conservation of the distinct ecosystems that will be the inheritance and legacy of future generations.
