Campaña Mundial de Global Response
www.globalresponse.org
Esta organización se consagra a dar apoyo en la comunidad internacional a comunidades indígenas y organizaciones sociales de nivel local, que luchan por la protección del ambiente y de su entorno sociocultural. tratando de crear una conciencia global en favor de esta causa entre jovenes y adultos y las posibilidades que se abren para estas luchas si se articulan a internacionalmente los esfuerzos locales.
Actualmente a iniciado una campaña en apoyo a las comunidades indígenas de perijá y el Socuy.
Más información en su sitio web.
______________________________________________________________________
Support Indigenous Peoples vs. Coal Mines / Venezuela
The Sierra de Perija is the northernmost range of the Andes mountains, reaching to the Caribbean along the Colombia-Venezuelan border. Rich in primary forests and biological diversity, the Sierra has become a battleground where the Venezuelan government must make a choice between indigenous rights and environmental protection on one hand, and exploiting the region’s massive coal deposits on the other.
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights -- The Sierra’s quarter million indigenous people have already experienced environmental devastation, disease and social upheaval since two enormous open pit coal mines began operations in 1987. They are united in opposing the construction of three new mines and the expansion of one existing mine within their territories. The projects, which would quadruple Venezuela’s coal production, would be joint ventures between the Venezuelan state and mining companies from the US, Ireland, Brazil, Australia, Chile, Japan and elsewhere.
For the Wayuu, Yukpa, Bari and Japreria peoples, the primary issue is securing their land rights, including the right to deny access to sub-surface mineral deposits. Venezuela’s new constitution requires demarcation of indigenous lands and awarding of collective land titles – a significant step forward for indigenous peoples’ rights. But the land titles can exclude existing mines and mining concessions as well as large cattle ranches within the indigenous territories. “We want collective title to all the ancestral lands that we have demarcated,” says Yukpa leader Leonardo Martinez – including the areas designated for the new coal mines.
Water Resources -- For the down-river population of
Maracaibo, a city of 1.5 million people, the main issue is water. Deforestation
at the mine sites would cause erosion and siltation of the rivers and reservoirs
that supply the city’s drinking water, which is already in short supply.
Open-pit mining uses huge quantities of water, competing with the needs of
agriculture and urban areas. The mining operations would contaminate rivers with
heavy metals, endangering the health of fish, wildlife, birds, livestock and
humans. Acid mine drainage could
continue to pollute the land and water for
centuries to come.
Biological Diversity -- The three proposed new coal mines
would destroy large tracts of ancient tropical
forests that provide habitat
for hundreds of endangered species, including many that are endemic (found
nowhere else on earth). During the last 50 years cattle ranchers invaded the
Sierra’s lower altitudes, systematically destroying forests. As a result,
jaguars, ocelots, Andean bear, giant anteaters, iguanas, macaws and spider
monkeys already face extinction – and their demise would be accelerated by the
coal mines. To export the coal, a new mega-port would be built on islands in the
Caribbean, destroy-ing unique wildlife and bird habitat and fisheries, as well
as the livelihoods of displaced fisher families.
President Chavez inspires the hope, gratitude and enthusiastic support of Venezuela’s poorest citizens by using oil profits to provide far-reaching education, health and employment programs that are transforming the society. But environmentalists, scientists and indigenous people fear that the social gains will be short-lived if the country’s forests, rivers, air and biological diversity are sacrificed for oil, gas and coal production. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales says, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.”
How Can We Help? Three times in the last year, the Wayuu, Yukpa, Bari and Japreria peoples have marched in the capital city under banners saying “No to Coal.” At the World Social Forum in late January, they appealed to world citizens to help them convince President Chavez to annul the coal concessions on their lands. They said, “We are not against Chavez. We are against coal mines!” Please support their struggle by writing to the President and the Minister of the Environment. A model letter is available here.___________________________________________________________________________
Algunas de las cartas enviadas al presidente Chávez:
Nº 1
Support of Indigenous Peoples vs. Coal Mines
Michael Briguglio <mikes_beat@hotmail.com>
Ing. Jacqueline Faria, Ministra
Ministerio del Ambiente
Centro Simon Bolivar, Torre Sur, Piso 25
El Silencio, Caracas, Venezuela
FAX: +58 212 408 1024
Email:
Prof. Lusbi Portillo
Homo et Natura
Calle Carabobo No. 7-34
Maracaibo, Zulia
Venezuela
Dear Friends,
First of all I want to applaud President Chavez for Venezuela’s constitution
which provides for indigenous peoples’ rights.
I am sending this letter to urge you to grant the request of Wayuu, Yukpa,
Bari and Japreria leaders to have a personal meeting with him concerning the
coal concessions within their territories.
I oppose new coals mines in the Sierra de Perija for these reasons:
1) The indigenous people who live there oppose the new mines;
2) The mines would destroy ancient tropical forests whose biological
diversity is of incalculable value;
3) Coal mining would contaminate the water supply of the entire population
of Maracaibo;
4) Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, especially on
coal -- the dirtiest source of
energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change;
5) Venezuela doesn’t need this coal. The economic benefits would go
primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to
mine
there?), while Venezuela’s land, water, wildlife and people would suffer
irreparable harm.
I am active in Malta's Green Party, Alternattiva Demokratika and we are
active to reduce fossil-fuel dependence in our country.
Fraternal Greetings!!
Michael Briguglio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 2
Climate change and global warming
Denise Lytle <squishytart@moose-mail.com>
Dear Minister Faria and Ambassador Alvarez,
It is important to me to support environmental protection, environmental justice and indigenous peoples’ rights in my own country and around the world. I am especially concerned about the disastrous effects of global warming and climate change, so I am working every way I can to minimize the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy alternatives. I am also concerned about the negative environmental and social impacts of extractive industries on local communities and ecosystems.
That is why I am writing to you in support of the Yukpa, Bari and Wayuu indigenous peoples of Zulia state. As you know, these indigenous peoples oppose the construction of three new coal mines in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira. I am asking you to grant their request for a personal meeting with you to share information about the proposed mines and to express their views. At the Indigenous Peoples March on January 26, they clearly stated, “We are not against Chavez; we are against coal mines.”
From what I have learned, it seems that there are many good reasons to cancel the new coal mining projects in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira.
 The indigenous people who live in there oppose the new mines.
 The mines will destroy ancient tropical forests whose biological diversity is of incalculable value; cause erosion and siltation of rivers and reservoirs; contaminate the water supply of the entire population of Venezuela’s second largest city, Maracaibo; and threaten the health of humans, animals, birds and fish from the heights of the Sierra de Perija down to the Caribbean Sea.
; Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and especially on coal, the dirtiest source of energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change. In the United States alone, 30,000 deaths each year are attributed to pollution from coal-fired power plants.
; Venezuela does not need coal; all the coal from the Sierra de Perija would be exported. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to do the mining?), while the land, water, wildlife and people of Zulia state would suffer irreparable harm.
; Construction of the proposed Puerto Simon Bolivar would also displace fisher families, destroy the fisheries and the families’ livelihoods, and disturb important wildlife habitat on the islands.
I respectfully urge you to shift your priorities in the Sierra de Perija from multinational coal mining projects to protecting the true riches of the region: its biological and cultural diversity. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales said, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.”
Thank you for considering these concerns.
Sincerely,
Denise Lytle
73 Poplar St.
Fords, NJ 08863
USA
Trophy hunters can write off canned hunts and big game safaris at taxpayers'
expense - help end this cruelty loophole: http://go.care2.com/66836
http://www.Care2.com Free e-mail. 100MB storage. Helps nonprofits. <!-- D(["mb","<br />&#61656; Venezuela does not need coal; all the coal from the Sierra de Perija would be exported. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to do the mining?), while the land, water, wildlife and people of Zulia state would suffer irreparable harm.<br /><br />&#61656; Construction of the proposed Puerto Simon Bolivar would also displace fisher families, destroy the fisheries and the families’ livelihoods, and disturb important wildlife habitat on the islands.<br /><br /><br />I respectfully urge you to shift your priorities in the Sierra de Perija from multinational coal mining projects to protecting the true riches of the region: its biological and cultural diversity. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales said, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.”<br /><br />Thank you for considering these concerns.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Denise Lytle<br />73 Poplar St.<br />Fords, NJ 08863<br />USA<br /><br /><br />Trophy hunters can write off canned hunts and big game safaris at taxpayers\'<br />expense - help end this cruelty loophole: <a onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\" href\u003d\"http://go.care2.com/66836\" target\u003d_blank>http://go.care2.com/66836</a><br /><br /><a onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\" href\u003d\"http://www.Care2.com\" target\u003d_blank>http://www.Care2.com</a> Free e-mail. 100MB storage. Helps nonprofits.<br />",0] ); //-->
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 3
Venezuela
Bandeja de entrada
nicola peel <nicolapeel@hotmail.com>
To those who are suppose to stand up for what is right,
In the name of 'progress' it is not ok to contaminate, kill and move people
from their ancestral land.
In all honesty how would you feel if the coal mine wanted to come to your
neighbourhood?
It is your responsibility that the citizens have clean water to drink and if
the coal mine is allowed to continue this right will be taken away.
This message from an indigenous person sais it all
“We will not be removed from the lands where our ancestors are buried. We
are defending the animals, the forests and the water. This planet can’t
withstand any more contamination. What good is all this wealth from oil and
coal if we are dying of diseases and misery? Several years ago they pushed
out some of our people to make a coal mine. In that region the animals, the
fish, the birds and the people are all sick. Now they want us to move again
so they can make more mines, but there is nowhere to go. We will defend our
lands and our heritage with our lives.”
– Jorge Montiel, Wayuu leader
Those who care about the welfare of the planet and the people will oppose
this plan
Money is not what life is all about
yours sincerley
Nicola Peel
--------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 4
Minas de carbón
Kermit Cuff <tierno23@yahoo.com>
Esta es una copia de una carta que escribi al Presidente Chavez:
Sr. Hugo Chavez, Presidente
Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Miraflores
Final Avenida Urdaneta, Esq. de Bolero
Caracas 1010, Venezuela
March 4, 2006
Dear President Chavez,
First, I would like to express my admiration for your stance against imperialism and interference from the United States. Last night I talked with Dolores Huerta, who met you in January, and she had very positive things to say about you and what you’re doing for your country. There is one issue that I’d like to bring your attention to. It is important to me to support environmental protection, environmental justice and indigenous peoples’ rights in my own country and around the world. I am especially concerned about the disastrous effects of global warming and climate change, so I am working every way I can to minimize the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy alternatives. I am also concerned about the negative environmental and social impacts of extractive industries on local communities and ecosystems.
That is why I am writing to you in support of the Yukpa, Bari and Wayuu indigenous peoples of Zulia state. As you know, these indigenous peoples oppose the construction of three new coal mines in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira. I am asking you to grant their request for a personal meeting with you to share information about the proposed mines and to express their views. At the Indigenous Peoples March on January 26, they clearly stated, “We are not against Chavez; we are against coal mines.”
From what I have learned, it seems that there are many good reasons to cancel the new coal mining projects in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira.
The indigenous people who live in there oppose the new mines.
The mines will destroy ancient tropical forests whose biological diversity is of incalculable value; cause erosion and siltation of rivers and reservoirs; contaminate the water supply of the entire population of Venezuela’s second largest city, Maracaibo; and threaten the health of humans, animals, birds and fish from the heights of the Sierra de Perija down to the Caribbean Sea.
Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and especially on coal, the dirtiest source of energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change. In the United States alone, 30,000 deaths each year are attributed to pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Venezuela does not need coal; all the coal from the Sierra de Perija would be exported. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to do the mining?), while the land, water, wildlife and people of Zulia state would suffer irreparable harm.
Construction of the proposed Puerto Simon Bolivar would also displace fisher families, destroy the fisheries and the families’ livelihoods, and disturb important wildlife habitat on the islands.
I respectfully urge you to shift your priorities in the Sierra de Perija from multinational coal mining projects to protecting the true riches of the region: its biological and cultural diversity. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales said, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.”
Thank you for considering these concerns.
Sincerely,
Kermit Cuff Jr.
338 Mariposa Ave. #2
Mountain View , CA 94041-1160
United States
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 5
Lou Anna Denison <lannd4animals@charter.net>
March 4, 2006
Sr. Hugo Chavez, Presidente
Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Miraflores
Final Avenida Urdaneta, Esq. de Bolero
Caracas 1010, Venezuela
Ing. Jacqueline Faria, Ministra
Ministerio del Ambiente
Centro Simon Bolivar, Torre Sur, Piso 25
El Silencio, Caracas, Venezuela
Prof. Lusbi Portillo
Homo et Natura
Calle Carabobo No. 7-34
Maracaibo, Zulia
Venezuela
Dear Sirs:
We applaud Venezuela’s constitution which provides for indigenous
peoples’ rights.
We urge Venezuela's leaders to grant the request of Wayuu, Yukpa, Bari and Japreria leaders to have a personal meeting with him concerning the coal concessions within their territories.
We have been privileged to visit Venezuela, and were warmly welcomed by the people there. We are very concerned about exploitive activities that can endanger their way of life--and their very lives!
We strongly oppose new coals mines in the Sierra de Perija. Some good reasons: 1) The indigenous people who live there oppose the new mines; 2) The mines would destroy ancient tropical forests whose biological diversity is of incalculable value; 3) Coal mining would contaminate the water supply of the entire population of Maracaibo; 4) Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, especially on coal -- the dirtiest source of energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change; 5) Venezuela doesn’t need this coal. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to mine there?), while Venezuela’s land, water, wildlife and people would suffer irreparable harm.
We are among the growing numbers of people who are beginning to use conservation measures (we recently purchased and drive a Prius hybrid car--and conserve energy in our home) to reduce coal consumption and fossil fuel dependence in our country. Conservation can save more energy than exploiting more of our environment.
Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. James L. Denison
6931 E. 11th St.
Long Beach, CA 90815
cc:Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th St. NW
Washington DC 20007
----------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 6
Chad Pennington <circlroundasun@hotmail.com>
Sr. Hugo Chavez, Presidente
Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Miraflores
Final Avenida Urdaneta, Esq. de Bolero
Caracas 1010, Venezuela
FAX: +58-212-806-8210
Dear Mr. President,
It is important to me to support environmental protection, environmental justice and indigenous peoples’ rights in my own country and around the world. I am especially concerned about the disastrous effects of global warming and climate change, so I am working every way I can to minimize the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy alternatives. I am also concerned about the negative environmental and social impacts of extractive industries on local communities and ecosystems.
That is why I am writing to you in support of the Yukpa, Bari and Wayuu indigenous peoples of Zulia state. As you know, these indigenous peoples oppose the construction of three new coal mines in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira. I am asking you to grant their request for a personal meeting with you to share information about the proposed mines and to express their views. At the Indigenous Peoples March on January 26, they clearly stated, “We are not against Chavez; we are against coal mines.”
From what I have learned, it seems that there are many good reasons to cancel the new coal mining projects in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nº 8
Cancel the new coal mining projects in the Sierra de Perijá and Guajira.
Richard Gorringe <dreammagus@hotmail.com>
Sr. Hugo Chavez, Presidente
Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Miraflores
Final Avenida Urdaneta, Esq. de Bolero
Caracas 1010, Venezuela
FAX: +58-212-806-8210
Dear Mr. President,
It is important to me to support environmental protection, environmental justice and indigenous peoples’ rights in my own country and around the world. I am especially concerned about the disastrous effects of global warming and climate change, so I am working every way I can to minimize the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy alternatives. I am also concerned about the negative environmental and social impacts of extractive industries on local communities and ecosystems.
That is why I am writing to you in support of the Yukpa, Bari and Wayuu indigenous peoples of Zulia state. As you know, these indigenous peoples oppose the construction of three new coal mines in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira. I am asking you to grant their request for a personal meeting with you to share information about the proposed mines and to express their views At the Indigenous Peoples March on January 26, they clearly stated, “We are not against Chavez; we are against coal mines.”
From what I have learned, it seems that there are many good reasons to cancel the new coal mining projects in the Sierra de Perija and Guajira.
The indigenous people who live in there oppose the new mines.
The mines will destroy ancient tropical forests whose biological diversity is of incalculable value; cause erosion and siltation of rivers and reservoirs; contaminate the water supply of the entire population of Venezuela’s second largest city, Maracaibo; and threaten the health of humans, animals, birds and fish from the heights of the Sierra de Perija down to the Caribbean Sea.
Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and especially on coal, the dirtiest source of energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change. In the United States alone, 30,000 deaths each year are attributed to pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Venezuela does not need coal; all the coal from the Sierra de Perija would be exported. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to do the mining?), while the land, water, wildlife and people of Zulia state would suffer irreparable harm.
Construction of the proposed Puerto Simon Bolivar would also displace fisher families, destroy the fisheries and the families’ livelihoods, and disturb important wildlife habitat on the islands. <!-- D(["mb","<br>\n <br>\nØ Worldwide, we must reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and especially on coal, the dirtiest source of energy and the greatest contributor to global warming and climate change. In the United States alone, 30,000 deaths each year are attributed to pollution from coal-fired power plants.<br>\n <br>\nØ Venezuela does not need coal; all the coal from the Sierra de Perija would be exported. The economic benefits would go primarily to multinational mining companies (otherwise, why do they want to do the mining?), while the land, water, wildlife and people of Zulia state would suffer irreparable harm.<br>\n <br>\nØ Construction of the proposed Puerto Simon Bolivar would also displace fisher families, destroy the fisheries and the families’ livelihoods, and disturb important wildlife habitat on the islands. \n \n<p align\u003d\"CENTER\">\n \n \n<p>\n <br>\nI respectfully urge you to shift your priorities in the Sierra de Perija from multinational coal mining projects to protecting the true riches of the region: its biological and cultural diversity. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales said, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.” <br>\n <br>\nThank you for considering these concerns.<br>\n <br>\nSincerely,<br>\n <br>\nRichard Gorringe, Ph. D.<br>\n9111 NE Sunderland<br>\nPortland, OR 97211<br>\n<br>\n<br>\n <br>\n <br>\n CC: <br>\nIng. Jacqueline Faria, Ministra<br>\nMinisterio del Ambiente<br>\nCentro Simon Bolivar, Torre Sur, Piso 25<br>\nEl Silencio, Caracas, Venezuela<br>\nFAX: +58 212 408 1024<br>\nEmail: <a href\u003d\"mailto:jfaria@marn.gob.ve\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\">",1] ); //-->
I respectfully urge you to shift your priorities in the Sierra de Perija from multinational coal mining projects to protecting the true riches of the region: its biological and cultural diversity. As Wayuu leader Angela Gonzales said, “We can live without coal. We can’t live without water.”
Thank you for considering these concerns.
Sincerely,
Richard Gorringe, Ph. D.
9111 NE Sunderland
Portland, OR 97211
CC:
Ing. Jacqueline Faria, Ministra
Ministerio del Ambiente
Centro Simon Bolivar, Torre Sur, Piso 25
El Silencio, Caracas, Venezuela
FAX: +58 212 408 1024
Email: jfaria@marn.gob.ve <mailto:jfaria@marn.gob.ve>
Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th St. NW
Washington DC 20007 USA
FAX: 202 342-6820
Email: nfani@embavenez-us.org
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