Climate Change II
We are all born equal, but not all of us contribute the same carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. In fact, the countries that pollute the most are the richest, but those who are suffering and will face the consequences are the poorest (MacKay, 2009). For this reason, multilateral spaces such as COP25, which promote broad relevant agreements, in which the interest and care of all are prime, are essential.
What happens on a global scale is repeated in Chile on a local scale. Chile is one of the countries that will suffer the most (and is already suffering) the consequences of climate change (CC). One of those consequences is the big drought in which we are (33% is due to this, Garreaud 2019). A basic definition of drought is a transient weather anomaly in which the availability of water is below the usual of a geographical area, so that water is not sufficient to meet the needs of plants, animals and humans that They live in that place. In the case of the central and central south of Chile this has lasted a decade, which is considered something unprecedented.
In this scenario then important actions must be taken, including a powerful institutionality that ensures social interest. The worst thing is to stand idly by watching how the problem becomes an ecosocial disaster.
First, the water access and use distribution system can no longer operate as it has been until now. According to an OECD report (2017) "distortions in the allocation and trade of water use rights (DAA), and the lack of comprehensive management of water resources entail an overexploitation of some aquifers and exacerbate local conflicts." In fact, six times more permits have been granted than the water available for extraction. In addition, the Waters Code establishes that in case of drought or exhaustion of the resource, the State has the duty to act.
Secondly, it should be noted that the large consumers of water in Chile are the forest industry with 59% and agriculture 34%, while drinking water and sanitation is 2% (Jaramillo and Acevedo, 2017). So a redistribution in this area will be necessary. Obviously this will have economic consequences for these sectors and this is also one of the expected effects of the CC. In fact, the main consequence of what we are living is that it questions the way in which we have been growing. A lot must change. In any case and, thirdly, there is successful international evidence in this area. In Israel, for example, 90% of the water is recycled and they have developed technologies to use seawater. However, the latter requires significant public investments, which is both a growth space.
There is no doubt that we are in an emergency and it is something that was informed by scientists years ago. It is time for politics to do its job!
