Juan Pablo Orrego fosters environmental victory in Chile

The Chilean government finally rejected the HidroAysén dam project, a hydroelectric scheme threatening the Patagonia’s sustainability and wilderness by converting it into a highly industrialised region. The decision was highly influenced by the campaign coordinated by Juan Pablo Orrego, 1998 Right Livelihood Award Laureate. The ‘Patagonia Without Dams’ campaign was supported by a number of environmental organisations and managed to draw extensive national and international attention.

“I am moved that the citizens – because this was a victory by the citizens – managed to finally inspire a government to do the right thing in the face of a mega-project,” declared Juan Pablo Orrego, as cited by Inter Press Service.