- The Environmental situation in La Granja
In the sector of La Granja, thousands live around dangerously polluting industries. Among the most dangerous of these we can pinpoint; Curtiembre Jordec (Leather treatment), Compañía Minera Santa Ana (Mineral grinding) and Empresa Zincgal (Paint). This situation has led to a deterioration in health and quality of life of those who inhabit the sector, raising observed levels of respiratory diseases, allergies and cancer.
Government authorities have not cared to address the issue, and have been continuously denying any reparatory action regarding the matter.
To know more about this environmental conflict, you can read the following article (in Spanish).
- What is the agrupación por la vida digna?
The Agrupación por la Vida Digna (In English; The Organization for a Dignified Life) is a communal organization conformed by people who live around Santa Ana street, in the sector of La Granja. Even though it was legally formalized in 2010, our work began in 2007.
Through concrete actions, the organization seeks to promote the wellbeing of those who live in the sector. Among other activities; we offer free cultural, recreational and sporting workshops for kids and young adults. The purpose of these is to educate younger generations for them to acknowledge their rights and to promote their active participation in communal life. We have also applied for government subsidies in order to do repair work on the dwellings around the sector. However, our biggest struggle, has been that of developing a friendly and pollutant-free environment for all who inhabit the sector. For this objective, we have organized a series of actions, ranging from protest to meetings with local and national authorities. We have also contacted different members of the press for coverage and have demanded for greater regulation.
For more on the organization go to our Twitter or Facebook accounts.
The NGO FIMA has offered their legal advice to the Organization. Together, we have reached the conclusion that our biggest chance of eradicating the polluting industries from our sector it is through a collective lawsuit in the Environmental Tribunal. However, before taking this step we have to gather information on the actual and/or potential environmental danger that these industries represent.
Through the Organization we have been able to get the support of professor Ernesto Gramsch (PhD in Physics), from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile. He has committed to study the environmental situation in the sector, through which we will obtain the precise figures regarding the particulate matter that these companies emit over those who live around Santa Ana street.
Even though professor Gramsh has offered his services free of charge, we still have to gather funds for technic equipment and lab usage. The amount solicited comes from a carefully constructed budget by the professor. The research for the study is to take place is to take place during the second semester of 2016 (between August and November).
Your support will allow us to take a decisive step in answering this environmental crisis that affects thousands in La Granja.
Help us defend our right to a pollutant-free environment!
If we don't reach the 100% of the funding goal, we will use it to do the following:
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With the 10%
We will gather the other 90% from other sources and will resume with the study
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With the 25%
We will gather the other 75% from other sources and will resume with the study
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With the 50%
We will gather the other 50% from other sources and will resume with the study
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With the 75%
We will gather the other 25% from other sources and will resume with the study
Chile
