'We cannot exist if we lose the water': In #Honduras, a community resists a #mine polluting the #RíoGuapinol

"#JuanLópez, representative of the Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, told #RadioProgreso that the activists' next step is advocate for the revoking of Inversiones Los Pinares' mining contracts, the environmental license and the exploitation and exploration permit."

by Soli Salgado
October 18, 2022

TOCOA, HONDURAS - "The Río Guapinol that streams through the Bajo Aguán valley in northern Honduras has long been a source of drinking, bathing, cleaning, irrigation and cooking water for the surrounding community in Tocoa.

"In the last few years, the river has also provided an education: how to resist an international mining operation that they say contaminates the river in the name of development; how to confront a seemingly compromised justice system when that #resistance goes awry; and — for the women in particular — how to become leaders of a movement upon the indefinite imprisonment of their husbands and sons.

"Vilma Cruz raised her five children using the river, including a son who wound up spending almost two and a half years in jail for protesting the mining as part of the #Guapinol8, a group whose 2019 arrests and long detentions drew international outrage.

"'We don't feel at peace because our water has been endangered,' she said. 'Now, when I go to the river, I feel my chest swell, like I'm not free.'

A mine emerges, a community responds

"About a decade ago, #InversionesLosPinares, formerly the Honduran #EMCO Mining Company and based in #Tocoa, applied for a concession to build an iron oxide mine in the protected #CarlosEscaleras #NationalPark. Then-President Juan Orlando Hernández authorized the request in 2013, a decision locals said was made without following protocol of consulting residents of the area.

"The #OpenPit #mining project was upstream of the #RíoGuapinol, a channel that stems from the larger #RíoAguan, a river that flows through tropical mountains from the Atlantic on the northern side of the #CentralAmerican country.

"When the Río Guapinol in 2018 started to turn a chocolate brown, locals took that as a cue to act against Inversiones Los Pinares.

"#GuapinolResiste, the local community's movement in response to the mining, said in a 2020 report that even before mining began, the construction of the facilities and roads had polluted both the Guapinol and #SanPedro rivers, affecting 14,000 residents who rely on the water for consumption and domestic purposes.

"'Losing the river would mean buying water, and you can't buy water for everything,' said Leonel George, who serves on the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, founded in 2018 in response to the mining project.

"The river, he added, is 'closely linked to life and the existence of everything that surrounds us,' noting that the committee's concern goes beyond the effects that contaminated water would have on human beings to the river's surrounding #forests and #biodiversity."

Read more:
https://www.ncronline.org/earthbeat/justice/we-cannot-exist-if-we-lose-water-honduras-community-resists-mine-polluting-r-o

#JusticeForJuan #GuapinolRiver #WaterDefender #SaveTheForests #DefendTheSacred
#NoMiningWithoutConsent #WaterIsLife #SaveTheRivers #EMCO #InversionesLosPinares
#MunicipalCommitteeForTheDefenseOfCommonAndPublicGoods

Honduras: Anti-mining activist Juan Lopez shot dead

#JuanLopez is the fourth member of an #environmental #activism group based in in #Tocoa to be killed since 2023.

President #XiomaraCastro condemned the murder and has ordered an investigation.

September 16, 2024

"An #AntiMining #EnvironmentalActivist in #Honduras who protested to preserve #TropicalForests and rivers was killed over the weekend, even after warnings to better ensure his safety.

"Juan Lopez, 46, was gunned down as he left church Saturday in the northeastern town of Tocoa, police said on Sunday.

"Honduran President Xiomara Castro condmened the apparent murder of Lopez, a member of the Libre party she's allied to, in comments online.

"'We condemn the vile murder of our comrade and environmental leader Juan Lopez in Tocoa, Colon,' she said. 'I have ordered that all the capabilities of law enforcement be used to clarify this tragedy and identify those responsible.'

Multiple members of Lopez's enviromental organization killed

"Lopez belonged to the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Goods, an environmental organization in Tocoa on the country's Atlantic coast.

"Three other members of the group were killed last year in what the organization saw as retaliation.

"The group had suffered threats and harassment for years amid efforts to preserve the #Guapinol and #SanPedro rivers, and the #CarlosEscaleras #Nature Reserve, as the presence of #mining and #hydroelectric companies increased.

"Honduran Attorney General Johel Zelaya said the 'reprehensible' murder would not go unpunished, and paid tribute to Lopez's #activism.

"'His life was an example of struggle. He never gave up in his incessant battle, hand-in-hand with the people to preserve natural resources,' Zelaya said on X.

Lopez aware of risks of his activism

"An outspoken member of the ruling #LibreParty, Lopez had recently publicly called for the resignation of Libre officials caught on video negotiating bribes with drug traffickers in 2013.

"Carlos Zelaya, a brother-in-law of president Castro, was caught up in that video. He resigned his seat in congress after admitting he took part in that meeting with drug gangsters.

"'If you leave home, you always have in mind that you do not know what might happen, if you are going to return,' Lopez had said in 2021 when speaking of his activism with AFP.

"Lopez had also raised the alarm himself earlier in the year, saying he had noticed two people on motorbikes observing him in locations around his home.

Activist deaths high in Latin America

"Global Witness, a British NGO, says Honduras is one of the world's most dangerous countries for environmental activists.

"#LatinAmerica accounted for 85% of all the world's environmentalists who were killed last year, with 18 deaths registered in Honduras, according to #GlobalWitness.

"The United Nations resident coordinator in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, said Lopez had been threatened for his activism and praised his determination to stand up to powerful interests.

"'We condemn the terrible murder of Juan Lopez, a human rights defender threatened for his work,' she said in a post."

km/msh (AFP, Reuters)

https://www.dw.com/en/honduras-anti-mining-activist-juan-lopez-shot-dead/a-70223466

#JusticeForJuan #GuapinolRiver #WaterDefender #SaveTheForests #DefendTheSacred
#NoMiningWithoutConsent #Greenwashing #WaterIsLife #SaveTheRivers #EMCO #InversionesLosPinares
#MunicipalCommitteeForTheDefenseOfCommonAndPublicGoods

On the ballot in #ScarboroughMaine!

Council Corner: A path to continued #LandConservation in Scarborough

Posted July 18
Karin Shupe, Scarborough Town Councillor

"On July 17 at 5:30 p.m. the Town Council held a workshop to discuss the potential referendum questions for this November’s ballot. One of these questions includes a request to replenish the land bond fund. The land bond fund is a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for conservation. Unlike what a traditional bond referendum looks like, the land bond does not have an immediate impact on taxpayers, as it authorizes future bonding for land conservation.

"Scarborough voters have overwhelmingly supported every land bond referendum that has come forward since the creation of the land bond fund. The town has contributed $7.5 million towards the acquisition of land for conservation in this 24-year span. Scarborough’s commitment to land conservation has helped successfully obtain grants from the federal and state government and attract donors and matching funds from organizations like the #ScarboroughLandTrust, #LandForMainesFuture and the #MaineFarmlandTrust. These partnerships have led to conservation and preservation of land throughout the town, including #PleasantHillPreserve, #WarrenWoods, #FullerFarm, #BroadturnFarm and #SilverBrookPreserve.

"As of today, there is approximately $14,000 remaining in the town’s land bond fund. With a Town Council goal to conserve 30% of Scarborough land by 2030, more funds are needed. There are many public and economic benefits to land conservation that make this goal so important for Scarborough. The No. 1 concern expressed by our community in the recent survey was the rapid pace of growth and expansion. By conserving land, not only are we protecting our natural resources from development and preserving drinking water and water quality in our rivers, streams and marsh, we are also providing open space for our residents and visitors to enjoy.

"Historically, conserving land is cost neutral to a town budget, while residential development adds more to a town’s cost of services and infrastructure beyond the tax revenues it receives. As one of the fastest growing communities in the state, it is even more important for us to act now to protect our natural resources and maintain the open space that has attracted residents to Scarborough.

"The request before the Town Council is for a $6 million replenishment of the land bond, which accounts for the rising cost of land and the town’s 30×30 goal. This recommendation comes from the town’s Parks and Conservation Land Board, which is responsible for evaluating the applications the town receives for land bond funds. The board has developed a detailed acquisition evaluation process for properties, based on factors such as size, preservation of natural resources, location to habitat, public access and creating connectivity.

"Most recently the board recommended, and Town Council approved, the use of $800,000 towards the preservation of an additional 130 acres at Silver Brook Preserve in western Scarborough. This recent Silver Brook Preserve expansion now connects 813 acres of continuous conserved land between Scarborough, #SacoMaine and #BuxtonMaine. With no further funds available in the land bond, the town may miss opportunities like Silver Brook Preserve in the future. The town is also currently in the process of developing an Open Space Conservation Plan. This plan will guide and prioritize land conservation efforts. With no funds in the land bond, we will be unable to act on the land conservation recommendations from this plan.

"Scarborough is a leader in land conservation. No other town in Maine has spent as many local dollars on conserving their natural resources. I will try to continue our leadership in land conservation by encouraging my fellow councilors to support placing this $6 million land bond on the November ballot. To learn more about the land bond I invite residents to attend our upcoming Council Corner Live on Aug. 7 to learn more about the land bond – stay tuned for details."

https://www.pressherald.com/2024/07/18/council-corner-a-path-to-continued-land-conservation-in-scarborough/

Cutting #forests for #SolarEnergy ‘misses the plot’ on #ClimateAction

By Matthew Lynch
July 26, 2024

"As the world grapples with the urgent need to address #ClimateChange, the transition to renewable energy sources is often presented as a silver bullet. Solar energy, in particular, is championed for its potential to reduce #GreenhouseGas emissions and provide a sustainable alternative to #FossilFuels. However, a disturbing trend is emerging: in the quest to establish new solar farms, some regions are cutting down forests, raising questions about whether these actions truly serve the cause of climate action.

The Dilemma of Land Use

"The push for solar energy has led to significant land-use changes across the globe. In some cases, this has meant the clearing of large forested areas to make way for solar installations. Proponents argue that converting forest land into solar farms can produce clean energy and reduce dependency on non-renewable sources. However, this perspective overlooks the critical role that forests play in the global climate system.

"Forests act as vital #CarbonSinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in their biomass and soil. When these forests are cleared, not only is this carbon storage capacity diminished, but the act of deforestation itself releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. In essence, the emissions produced by cutting down trees can offset the climate benefits of the solar energy generated on that land for years, if not decades.

#Biodiversity Concerns

"Beyond carbon emissions, cutting forests for solar farms poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Forests are home to a multitude of species, many of which are already endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. The conversion of these habitats into solar farms disrupts ecosystems and can lead to local extinctions. The loss of biodiversity has far-reaching consequences, affecting ecosystem services such as #pollination, nutrient cycling, and #water purification, all of which are crucial for human survival.

A Holistic Approach to #RenewableEnergy

"The key to achieving meaningful climate action lies in adopting a holistic approach to renewable energy development. Rather than viewing solar energy installations solely through the lens of energy production, it is essential to consider the #environmental and #social implications of land-use decisions. This includes prioritizing #brownfield sites, such as abandoned buildings, #industrial lands, and degraded areas, where solar installations can occur without harming forests and other critical #ecosystems.

"Moreover, a combination of strategies should be pursued to maximize the benefits of solar energy while minimizing ecological impact. This could involve integrating solar panels into existing structures, promoting community solar projects, and investing in research on #agrovoltaics, which combines #agriculture with solar energy generation. Such approaches can help meet energy needs while preserving #NaturalLandscapes and promoting #biodiversity."

Read more: https://www.thetechedvocate.org/cutting-forests-for-solar-energy-misses-the-plot-on-climate-action/