Expectant and worried, Argentine climate activists face the Milei government

Expectation and willingness to fight, but also concern and, above all, uncertainty. This mix of emotions is what Argentine activists experience during the COP28 Climate Summit which is celebrated in Dubai before the new denialist government of Javier Milei.

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“We are not afraid, but we have to be very attentive, more attentive than ever, to defend and protect each of the achievements what has happened to the climate movement in recent times and trying to put the new challenges and the next challenges”assured EFE Carolina Monacofrom the NGO Eco House, on a day when youth is the main theme of the conference day.

The arrival this month of Milei as “first liberal libertarian president” of history, something he boasted about after proclaiming himself the winner of the 2023 general elections in Argentina, also comes from the denial of climate changeunless it was caused by humans.

In fact, in the second presidential debate, Milei decided that “All those policies that blame humans for climate change are false.”

But Carolina He is certain that his work and that of climate activists in Argentina It is an “achievement that goes far beyond a presidential term and the current political leadership of a country”, and he added: “We will continue working without fear.”

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What can a denialist government affect?

In the new cabinet there is no Ministry of the Environment just two days after the inauguration of Mileiquestions among climate activists arise more than ever.

“One way this can affect a denialist presidentFor example, legislation continues to be delayed” such as Comprehensive Environmental Education Lawwhat it really is “Very necessary.”

On the other hand, Argentina Camila Mercurethat operates in the area of Climate Policy of the Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN), told EFE that they are “very expectant” of what will happen, since “There is no established decision or policy.”

What Camila What he demonstrated was the willingness to meet with the Government to address these climate issues, which are some “old problems” and this also has to do with the economic situation of the country.

Among the biggest environmental challenges of Argentina are the practices of “hydraulic fracturing”, megamining and logging for the use of land for commercial purposes, as well as ongoing forest fires.

Precisely, a report of Amnesty International earlier this year about the fires “repeated” which devastated more than half a million hectares in 2022 said that it is “essential that the Argentine State advances in fulfilling its international commitments regarding the protection of the environment and human rights”, something that could remain in a situation impasse with the extreme right Milei.

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Persecution of activists?

Different Argentine climate activists interviewed by EFE at the summit, who preferred anonymity due to the sensitivity of this issue, highlighted that the new Government of Milei is receiving “many signs”that cannot be completely removed from the environmental issue, especially due to the economic investment being made.

“Not participating in a conversation about climate is missing opportunities“, they stated, although they added that if this Government of Milei follows market rules, this can be seen in Argentina “a major development of renewable energies, because this is what will benefit the market”, although he remembered that there are also “lobbyists” of the fossil fuels pressing, since Argentina is a hydrocarbon producer

“It’s proof” for Mileiall sources consulted agreed.

But there is also an issue that arises from the possible persecution – as one of the scenarios – against environmentalists, one of the most painful issues for environmental activists. Latin America.

The association Global Witness recorded that 200 land and environmental defenders were murdered in 2021, which represents an average of almost four people per week, and more than three-quarters of the recorded attacks occurred in Latin America.

This report highlights the death in Patagonia Argentina of the young Mapuche Elias Garay in November 2021.

According to sources, “another fear” It is the persecution of activists that could exist in Argentina.

There could be two scenarios, they highlighted, one in which the new Government adopts a position of “I do not care” what they do, but another that points to a “message of hate” it worries them.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.