Good God Dam(n): HidroAysén

The Chilean government claims that the country will run out of energy, if they don’t follow through with a 3.2 billion dollar dam project called HidroAysén (5 dams on 2 rivers) in Patagonia. Aside from HidroAysén, protestors believe that there are a lot of better options (e.g. solar, wind, geyser and geothermal power, etc) and that if the project goes through then one of the last untouched, pristine, and fragile landscapes will be destroyed. Anecdotal research has led me to believe that no one in Chile wants the dam to be built. Citizens, conservationists, and scientists contest the government's claim; they believe that the motivations of the people in power are greed and consumerism (what a surprise?!). In addition they are worried that the project would "flood a large part of a region dominated by national parks and reserves"

As a result in recent weeks, there have been hundreds of protests and thousands of protesters (that vary greatly in not only age but also class and background) fighting back in and around Santiago. Since in the US people are generally apathetic, unorganized and/or their voices are too often squelched, watching the people unite under a common cause has been awe inspiring. The relentless acts of conscientious protest have taken place on the streets, are rampant on FaceBook and can be spotted on defiled government money. None of the public outcry has gone unnoticed and that is even more inspiring.

To my surprise four days ago, the project was suspended. The fight is far from over and it's likely to be a very long and difficult road. However, this fight (along with recent events in Egypt and across the world) has renewed my faith in grassroots moment and proven to me that dissent is not futile!

In a world where corporations are seizing more and more power and the gap between the rich and poor is growing at an alarming rate, it's essential that we remember that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism" (Thomas Jefferson).

For more information, here are some links:

NPR offers A glimpse at the situation

A comprehensive article in the NY times

BBC's article on the current situation