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Between Repression and Reform
Landau, La Serena 5. November 2019.
Everyone is surprised: the government, the political parties, the non-parliamentary opposition, and probably even more so the Chlilean citizens. Since the middle of October they have demonstrated in masses, and demanded comprehensive reforms. The grassroots movement has not (until now) been represented by any leader or particular organization. And although many protests have proceeded peacefully, it nevertheless comes again and again to physical disputes between security personnel and those protesters with a high propensity to violence. As previously during earthquakes and tsunamis, criminals have used the protests as an opportunity to plunder.Actually, Sphensico wanted to report here in detail about the conference ‟Áreas Marinas Costeras Protegidas a dos años del IMPAC IV (the status of the marine protection area two years after the Global Conference on Marine Protection Areas – IMPAC IV). Nancy Duman and her staff (Paola Vargas and Valeria Portus) had prepared for the seminar for months, and conducted it on October 3rd. Philipp Robert (a French specialist from the IUCN on Marine Protection Areas), Chilean scientists and environmental protectionists reported to the 150 participants and discussed with them the further developments relating to the Humboldt Archipelago. In impressive fashion, the meaning of a marine protection area in this valuable coastal and marine region was again identified and perspectives regarding sustainable use were presented. The conference was also live streamed. Simultaneously, there was an exhibition at de Armas Square. Sphenisco had invited local action groups to report on their concerns, and provided them a place to offer their products. After the conference, Nancy Duman´s small team was exhausted, and busy with making sure to politically and publically make use of the positive energy of the event.
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Partial Victory! Chilean High Court Rejects the ‟Dominga”Project.
Santiago, Landau, 27. September 2019.
Penguins, nature and environmental protectionists have again prevailed. The Chilean High Court in Santiago sustained the environmental protectionists’ lawsuit against the environmental court’s verdict in Antofagasta. The environmental court in Antofagasta had agreed with Andes Iron Corporation that the Coquimbo Regional Government and the Committee of Ministers had incorrectly disallowed the ‟Dominga”project. The High Court however, came to a different conclusion, and in the sound reasoning for its decision, stated that most of the critics’ arguments against the project were in fact, well-founded. The court therefore referred the case back to the environmental court in Antofagasta, with the specific requirement that the court address the professional and technical arguments against the project.
W.K.
translated by Erich Greiner
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Summary of the Efforts for a Marine Protection Area
- Sphenisco organises a conference in La Serena -
Landau 24. September 2019.
The Coquimbo Region has been waiting since March for the decision from Chile’s highest court on “Dominga” (s.a. Article from 5. March), and along with that, also on the issue of the ̏Humboldt Archipelagoʺ. During the preliminary stages of the UN Climate Conference (COP 25) in Santiago, it appeared that the Chilean government was making efforts to prevent negative press, so as not to affront either potential investors or environmental protectionists. The conflict in the Coquimbo Region was, as much as possible, not mentioned, and they were hoping that it would be forgotten.That alone is enough reason to speak out about it. Sphenisco will be staging a conference on 3. October called “Áreas Marinas Costeras Protegidas a dos años del IMPAC IV” (Marine Protection Area Two Years After the Global Congress for Marine Protection Areas – IMPAC IV), together with the municipal authorities in La Serena, Coquimbo and Los Villos, the faculty of the Marine Science Department of the University of Coquimbo, and the Humboldt Alliance. The keynote speaker will be Philipp Robert from France, a marine protection area specialist from the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Chilean scientists and environmental protectionists will analyze the present situation and present options for sustainable development of the controversial marine and coastal protection areas. Parallel to that, Sphenisco has organized a market at the Plaza de Armas, with booths where local initiatives will inform the public and offer products from the local region.
W.K.
translated by Erich Greiner
Arguments Against ‟Dominga”
La Serena, Landau 06 July 2019
On 11 June, 2019 Rosa Rojas (from the citizens action group, MODEMA) and Nancy Duman (from Sphenisco) spoke at the Coquimbo Regional Government’s Environmental and Energy Commission under the topic,‟The Infeasibility of the Dominga Mining and Port Project” (see PDF file). The presentation briefly summarized the most important arguments. The majority of the advisors did not allow themselves to be convinced by these arguments (naturally), but were nevertheless obviously impressed with the presentation.
translated by Erich Greiner
Information about the Humboldt Penguin
written by Gabriele and Werner Knauf.
here in pdf-format (in German)