Science And Environment In Chile

The politics of scientific advice across four environmental conflicts in Chile, when the state acted as a “neutral broker” rather than protecting the common good. In Science and Environment in Chile, Javiera Barandiarán examines the consequences for environmental governance when the state lacks the capacity to produce an authoritative body of knowledge. Focusing on the experience of Chile after it transitioned from dictatorship to democracy, she examines a series of environmental conflicts in which the state tried to act as a “neutral broker” rather than the protector of the common good. She argues that this shift in the role of the state—occurring in other countries as well—is driven in part by the political ideology of neoliberalism, which favors market mechanisms and private initiatives over the actions of state agencies. Chile has not invested in environmental science labs, state agencies with in-house capacities, or an ancillary network of trusted scientific advisers—despite the growing complexity of environmental problems and increasing popular demand for more active environmental stewardship. Unlike a high modernist “empire” state with the scientific and technical capacity to undertake large-scale projects, Chile's model has been that of an “umpire” state that purchases scientific advice from markets. After describing the evolution of Chilean regulatory and scientific institutions during the transition, Barandiarán describes four environmental crises that shook citizens' trust in government: the near-collapse of the farmed salmon industry when an epidemic killed millions of fish; pollution from a paper and pulp mill that killed off or forced out thousands of black-neck swans; a gold mine that threatened three glaciers; and five controversial mega-dams in Patagonia.

Chile is located in the Southern Cone of South America; it has a high diversity of landscapes, which have been considered by naturalists and scientists as an irreplaceable patrimony of nature. This country has more than 4,000 kilometers of latitudinal extension, with deserts, agricultural valleys, large mineral deposits, ancient forests, relict and endemic species, glaciers, dunes, indigenous cultures and an increasing economy. The main aim of this book is to contribute to the understanding of the environment in Chile. The first chapter focuses on understanding an important dimension of nature, describing the Chilean forests as one of the main natural patrimonies of the country. Then the human enforcement of conservation biodiversity and natural patrimony is presented. Topics such as plastic pollution in oceans, the role of the school education system, private protected areas and others are addressed. Then the book focuses on the potential impacts generated by climate change on the environment of Chile. Alternatives for sustainable development in the near future that take into account food security, soil erosion and climate change. The book finalizes with two issues which that are strongly linked to human activities, natural hazards and mining impacts. A history of natural hazards in Chile is presented, analyzing the changes in policy and the influence of socioenvironmental events and dynamics on the current structure of risks in Chile determined by natural and human factors. Finally, an analysis of the impacts of mining associated with arsenic and copper is presented, describing the development of environmental standards, which aim to avoid or reduce the impacts on nature and humans.

Chile is a privileged country in terms of water resources, with an average annual runoff of approximately 50,000 m3/person. However, water availability varies enormously in space, as less than 1,000 m3/person are available for more than 50% of the population. The temporal and spatial distribution of water resources is driven by processes highly variables across a country with different climates explained not only by a large range of latitudes (from 17° to 56° south), but also the presence of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes with peaks up to 7000 m. This geography makes of Chile a true natural laboratory in which water is essential for the society and the economy of the country. The relevance of water resources for the country has become even more significant in the context of a mega-drought that has affected practically the entire territory in recent years, although large floods such as those in Atacama 2015 and 2017 also take place periodically. This unique book brings together the state-of-art knowledge about the hydrology of Chile and its water resources, with a particular focus on quantitative aspects. The chapters are prepared by many of the most relevant researchers and practitioners working in water resources in the country. High-quality research contributions on climate and meteorology, surface and subsurface hydrology, water quality, water monitoring, water resource and global change, among other issues, are presented in this unique book, which offers a useful guide for academicians, researchers, practitioners and managers dealing with diverse water-related issues in Chile and other regions with similar characteristics

This report is the second Environmental Performance Review of Chile. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on climate change and biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

The book presents detailed case studies examining the Rhône Basin in the Canton Valais, Switzerland and the Aconcagua Basin in Valparaiso, Chile. In order to understand and assess the interplay of complex and interlinked environmental and socio-economic issues, the author looks beyond the technology, modelling, engineering and infrastructure associated with water resources management and climate change adaptation, to assess the decision-making environment within which water and adaptation policy and practices are devised and executed.

Chile is recognized around the world for a strong economy, openness and political stability. There have been important advances in our economic model, educational system, and environmental regulation for sustainability, but further work needs to be done to improve Chilean competiveness and, most importantly, citizens' welfare. This book presents recent research on environmental, political and social issues in Chile. Each chapter provides diagnostic information and presents proposals and new ideas for sustainable development in Chile. This book explores the current situation of water resource management in Chile, as well as the implications of the exploitation of natural resources on the economic and social dimensions. The dynamics of urban expansion and structure in Chilean cities is also analyzed. Regarding the social dimension, immigration and gender issues are included, as well as a sound diagnosis of the higher education system.

This review of Chile's environmental policies and performance, carried out in co-operation with the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, systematically examines Chile's performance and policy with regards to air, water, nature conservation, and biodiversity.

This book offers a detailed examination of the main sources of Chile’s water, its principle consumers, the gap between supply and demand, hydrological droughts, and future projected impacts of climate change. It describes, analyzes and evaluates the performance of water policies, laws and institutions, identifies the main challenges that Chile needs to face and derives lessons learnt from Chile’s reform experience. Expert contributors discuss such topics as Chile’s water policy, and the reasoning which explains its policy reform. The book presents and evaluates the performance of the legal and institutional framework of water resources. It also describes efforts to meet actual demands for water by augmenting supplies with groundwater management, waste water re-use and desalination and improve the state of water ecosystems. The last chapter presents the editor’s assessment and conclusions. The case of Chile is illustrative of a transition from command and control to market based management policies, where economic incentives play a significant role in water management.