Chile’s Sacrifice Zones: Coal Plants Have Polluted Mejillones for Decades

Mejillones, a small town in northern Chile, is a paradox of natural beauty and industrial pollution. The emerald green waters and white sands paint a picture of paradise.

However, this serene landscape is marred by the ominous presence of coal-fired plants that stand as sentinels of pollution. The town is one of the country's five "sacrifice zones," where residents live engulfed in pollution.

The transition to cleaner energy sources has begun in Chile, with commitments to close 28 coal-fired power plant units by 2040. Nine have already been shut down. Yet, the scars left behind by years of coal production are still evident in places like Mejillones.

Mejillones' Dual Existence

Mejillones is located in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. The town relies on the sea for its livelihood, as fishing is its main economic activity.

However, the sea also brings challenges, as the town is exposed to frequent storms and tsunamis.

The town's history is intertwined with the development of the mining industry in Chile. In the late 19th century, Mejillones was a strategic port for the export of saltpeter, a key ingredient for fertilizer and explosives.

Later, in the 20th century, the town became a hub for the transport of copper, iron, and coal.

The coal industry brought prosperity to Mejillones, but also pollution. The town hosts two coal-fired power plants, which together produce about 10% of Chile's electricity.

The plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which affect the air quality and health of the residents.

According to a study by the University of Chile, Mejillones has the highest levels of sulfur dioxide in the country, exceeding the World Health Organization's standards by more than 10 times.

The study also found that the town has a higher incidence of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, than the national average.

The residents of Mejillones have been demanding for years that the government take action to reduce the pollution and improve their living conditions. They have organized protests, petitions, and lawsuits, but have seen little progress.

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The Path to Restoration

Despite being surrounded by noxious fumes and factories, there's a resilient spirit among the residents of Mejillones. They are not passive observers but active participants in their journey towards restoration.

One of the initiatives that they have undertaken is the creation of a community environmental monitoring network, which aims to measure and report the air quality in the town.

The network consists of volunteers who use low-cost sensors and smartphones to collect and share data. The data is then used to inform the public and pressure the authorities to take action.

Another initiative that the residents have supported is the development of renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind farms, that could replace the coal plants in the future.

Chile has abundant natural resources for clean energy, and has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The residents of Mejillones hope that their town can be part of this transition and benefit from the opportunities that it could bring.

Estefania Gonzalez, a campaigner from Greenpeace, highlights the significant impact that electricity production from coal has had on both the climate crisis and the sacrifice zones like Mejillones.

She says that as Chile transitions away from coal, towns like Mejillones face an uncertain yet hopeful future.

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