Conflictos Ambientales en Colombia / Environmental Conflicts in Colombia

Summary

Mario Alejandro Pérez, a professor and economist, discusses his work on ecological economics and environmental conflicts, particularly focusing on Colombia. He highlights an ongoing project that documents global environmental conflicts, with a specific case in La Cumbre, where a proposed highway threatens a vital aquifer. Pérez explores the concepts of environmental justice and community activism, stressing the importance of legal frameworks in defending local resources. The project also aims to create an atlas of environmental conflicts, shedding light on injustices and offering solutions for similar global issues.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mario Alejandro Pérez is an economist and professor at the University of Valle, focusing on ecological economics and environmental conflicts.
• 😀 The speaker is involved in an international project called EOL, which aims to document and address global environmental conflicts, particularly in Colombia.
• 😀 Environmental conflicts often involve disputes over natural resources like water, biodiversity, land, and the infrastructure necessary to exploit these resources.
• 😀 One major conflict in the municipality of La Cumbre concerns a planned road project that threatens the local water supply from a vital aquifer.
• 😀 The aquifer in La Cumbre is crucial for the water supply of the community, and the planned road would pass through this resource, endangering local access to water.
• 😀 The local community has been actively protesting against the project, forming a watchdog group and taking legal action since 2012.
• 😀 Despite these efforts, legal and governmental authorities have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the community's concerns regarding the project.
• 😀 Environmental justice is about ensuring that communities have equitable access to natural resources and are protected from environmental harm.
• 😀 Many environmental conflicts arise due to the increasing demand for natural resources and the associated environmental degradation, often leading to injustices for local communities.
• 😀 Legal frameworks, community mobilizations, and networks of environmental NGOs play a crucial role in challenging harmful projects and defending environmental rights, though some communities face violent retaliation from opposing interests.
• 😀 The project also highlights the broader implications of environmental conflicts, as they are not isolated but rather replicate across different regions of the world, demonstrating the need for international solidarity and action.

Q & A

What is the focus of Mario Alejandro Pérez's work?

Mario Alejandro Pérez is focused on ecological economics and environmental conflicts, specifically working on international projects related to environmental justice, environmental liabilities, and international trade.

What is the main goal of the 'eol' project mentioned by Mario Alejandro Pérez?

The main goal of the 'eol' project is to create an inventory of major environmental conflicts worldwide, particularly focusing on Colombia, to highlight and understand these conflicts and the concept of environmental justice.

How does Mario Alejandro Pérez define environmental conflicts?

Environmental conflicts are disputes related to access to natural resources such as water, biodiversity, land, or infrastructure development. These conflicts can also involve the negative impact of infrastructure projects like roads, ports, or aqueducts on local resources and communities.

What specific environmental conflict is being faced in the municipality of La Cumbre?

La Cumbre is facing a conflict over a fourth-generation road project aimed at connecting the southwest of Colombia to the port of Buenaventura. The proposed road crosses a vital underground aquifer, which is the primary water source for the local community, raising concerns about its environmental impact.

Why is the proposed road in La Cumbre problematic for the local community?

The proposed road is problematic because it crosses an underground aquifer, which is the only water source for La Cumbre. The aquifer is vital for the local population, including over 1,500 subscribers to the area's water system, and there are concerns that the road could damage it or affect water quality.

What alternative solutions are proposed for the road project in La Cumbre?

The local community advocates for alternative routes for the road, proposing at least three different paths that are less expensive and would avoid impacting the vital aquifer. They do not oppose the construction of the road itself but oppose the proposed route through Pavas.

What is the role of environmental justice in the conflicts described?

Environmental justice relates to the right of communities to access natural resources and to have the same environmental quality as other regions. In this context, environmental justice is about protecting local communities from the adverse effects of projects that threaten their natural resources, such as water.

How does Mario Alejandro Pérez explain the cause of environmental conflicts?

Pérez suggests that environmental conflicts are often caused by the increasing demand for natural resources driven by societal development, which leads to greater pollution and environmental degradation. This pressure results in disputes over access to resources and their use.

What is the significance of the legal framework in resolving environmental conflicts in Colombia?

In Colombia, the legal framework, including laws and regulations like environmental licenses and the ILO Convention 169, plays a critical role in resolving conflicts. Local communities use this legal structure to challenge harmful projects, and some of these efforts have successfully halted 19 out of 95 identified conflicts.

What challenges do activists and communities face when defending their environmental rights in Colombia?

Activists and communities defending environmental rights in Colombia face significant challenges, including violence, criminalization, and human rights abuses. This includes threats to activists, such as kidnapping, disappearance, and even murder, as certain economic sectors attempt to suppress resistance to resource exploitation.