
So, why not ruin it by planning to put a hydroelectric dam in the middle of the natural beauty against the voting public’s interest. Well, the government approved such a plan and the citizens are angry. The kind gentle people of Chile about 30,000 recently marched through Santiago the capital to protest. Not angry men raping and looting but young women and children and families took over the streets around the capital building.

New power plans usually come with voter approval since greater power usually keeps most people happy, not in this case. While the government supports expanding hydroelectric power production, more than 60% of Chileans are against it according to polls. The people of the area where the dam is to be built consider the land to be a national treasure.

This planned complex of five dams on two rivers would produce about 35% of the countries consumption. It would also flood a large part of a region dominated by national parks and reserves. Must the world ruin its natural beauty and fill it with energy complexes like dams and power plants?
Those opposing the dams say the government should focus on improving energy efficiency and boosting capacity for non-conventional renewal fuels like wind, solar and geothermal power. They also believe that in 5-10 years solar options will be cheaper than the dams.

“For us Chileans, natural resources are the most precious thing we have,” said Victor Cesped, a 21 year old student at the university of Chile “The land is a source of pride.”
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