Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Mon Mar 14, 2016, 05:47 PM Mar 2016

For Indigenous Peoples, Megadams Are ‘Worse than Colonization’

For Indigenous Peoples, Megadams Are ‘Worse than Colonization’

These mega-projects expropriate land, spoil environments, and pollute democracies. Berta Cáceres gave her life resisting them.

By Philippa de Boissière and Sian Cowman, March 14, 2016.

Early in the morning of March 3, Berta Cáceres was assassinated as she slept.

A world-renowned environmental activist, Berta had been a driving force in protecting the lands and waters of rural communities in Honduras. Among the many victories of the organization she founded was the delay of a megadam project on the Gualcarque River that could be disastrous for the indigenous Lenca people living there.

Berta is not alone, nor is her story unique to Honduras. Across the Global South, mega hydroelectric projects are expanding — driven by governments and multinationals as a source of cheap energy, and branded by international institutions as a solution to poverty and the climate crisis.

But despite claims that they create clean energy, dams often have devastating impacts. They can displace communities, destroy the local social fabric and spiritual ties to land, lead to privatization of land and water, and generate food insecurity. Often used to power mining and fossil fuel extraction, they’re part of a system that damages the ecosystem and advances climate change.

Increasingly, communities throughout Latin America have been resisting these projects. Some have succeeded in protecting their territories in the face of violent repression. Yet when these groups go so far as to speak out about the root causes of the projects — corporate greed, unfettered capitalism, political impunity — they, like Berta, may be targeted and killed.

More:
http://fpif.org/indigenous-peoples-megadams-worse-colonization/

Environment & Energy:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/112798165

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Latin America»For Indigenous Peoples, M...