Chile’s relentless copper mining expansion, vital for the global energy transition, has come at an unforgivable price: the health and future of its children. In the copper heartland, toxic emissions and hazardous waste have turned communities into sacrifice zones, where childhood is overshadowed by respiratory diseases, cancer risks, and chronic illnesses. This is not just an environmental failure—it is a humanitarian crisis.
President Gabriel Boric’s administration cannot continue to ignore the devastating impact of unregulated mining on vulnerable communities. Chile, a leading player in the green energy economy, must hold itself to higher standards. The extraction of critical minerals cannot justify sacrificing lives or violating basic rights. The government must enforce stringent environmental regulations, demand accountability from mining corporations, and prioritise public health over profit margins.
Global demand for copper will only increase, but Chile must prove that resource extraction and environmental justice can coexist. Investments in cleaner mining technologies, stricter emission controls, and community health programmes are urgent. Chile’s leadership in the energy transition will be hollow if its children pay the price.
Failure to act now will mark this as a legacy of neglect, where economic gains were prioritised over lives. The world is watching. It is time to put people before profits.
https://cleanenergyfrontier.climatechangenews.com/doctors-raise-alarm-on-childrens-health-crisis-in-chile-copper-mining-heartland/
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This is wrong..human life should be protected by all means as it is more important than any amount of money.
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@jane_wangui exactly
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I can't wait for the day when humans will put people's well being before profits.
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@tabitha_kimani exactly
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The future of these children is at risk, something must be done before the worst happens
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Sacrificing children's health for economic gain is unacceptable and no amount of profit justifies this kind of harm.
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@princess_nel_268 you are right