Post on 14-Aug-2015
Get gold humanely if possible, but at all costs get gold. Get gold humanely if possible, but at all costs get gold.
King Ferdinand of Spain, 1514King Ferdinand of Spain, 1514
All lives have equal value, but we can change many more things in poor countries than when you give aid to a country like Peru, with middle-income, which has to exploit its resources and could be as rich as a European country.
Bill Gates, 2012
Peru has become the world’s envy due to its outstanding economic growth in the last decade.
Barack Obama, 2015
As of February of 2015 there are 211 registered social conflicts in Peru. Of these, 122 are related to mining.
Good News to the Whole CreationGood News to the Whole CreationFaith Seeking Understanding in a Climate of ConflictFaith Seeking Understanding in a Climate of Conflict
Our Partners in PeruWhat is the Peru Joining Hands Network?
It is a network of 12 Peruvian organizations
NGO´s and Churches
Our Partners in Peru
The 12 organizations that make up the
Peru Joining Hands Network
are located throughout Peru.
Our Partners in PeruEach of the 12 organizations is addressing poverty, human rights abuses, or environmental crises on the local level through:
Development Projects
Education Programs
Local Advocacy
Compassionate Presence
Our Partners in Peru
These 12 organizations come together as a network to address deeper root causes of the poverty and injustice they witness on a local level by organizing advocacy campaigns on a national and international level. It partners with PC(USA) churches in the United States to carry out this work.
CREATION in PERU
Peru is a Mega-Diverse Country
Cross-section of the natural regions of Peru
WATER CYCLE in SUMMER
OCTOBER - MARCH
RAINY CLIMATE
RIVERS, LAKES, and GLACIERS GROW
AQUIFERS FILL UP
WATER CYCLEin WINTER
APRIL-SEPTEMBER
GLACIERS partially meltDRY CLIMATE
RIVERS, LAKES and GROUNDWATER TABLE diminish
Map of Andean Headwaters
Headwaters and water retension zones (wetlands and moorlands) occupy approximately 33.98% of the national territory (43,810,068.87 hectares)
Moorlands
Headwaters and Water Retension Zones in the High Andes
a country like Peru…which has to exploit its resources…could be as rich as a European country.
Bill Gates, 2012
MINING in PERU
Mining Potential and Headwaters
Mining Potential of Peru
POTENCIAL MINING INDEX
Gold Reserves in Peru
GOLD PRICES Year 2002 $270/ounceYear 2011$1700/ounce
COPPER PRICES
Year 2002 $0.70/lb.Year 2011 $3.80/lb.
Peru Mineral Exports (January – June 2011; in $US millions)
Silver
Gold
GRID SYSTEM
Scale: 1:100,000
Mining Concessions and Headwaters
More than 21 million hectares of national territory have been concessioned to the mining industry.
Headwaters and water retension zones (wetlands and moorlands) occupy approximately 33.98% of the national territory (43,810,068.87 hectares)
Moorlands
Headwaters and Water Retension Zones in the High Andes
Map of Mining Concessions in Peru
•Exhaustion of minerals in the NORTH.
•Greater social and environmental costs in the NORTH.
•Stable taxes and low regulation in the SOUTH
•Favorable Labor and Environmental legislation in the South.
•Free Trade Agreements guarantee foreign investments.
Movement of Mining Investments from the NORTH to the SOUTH
The governments of Peru have developed a greater “receptivity” to investment. (World Economic Forum, WEF).
Peru subscribes to mecanisms for the protection of investments (World Bank)
Peru exhibits “high grade of investment” (Standard & Poor’s). This is to say that Peru has reduced the risks of the country, making it more attractive to foreign investment.
Attractive Legal Framework of Peru
Subterraneous and Open Pit Mining in Peru
Impacts Impacts of of
MiningMining
• Contaminates the environment. Few mining companies meet the environmental standards.
• Mining only gives what is demanded of it. There does not exist a criteria for sharing with the local community in its develpment.
• Generates relatively little employment and added value to a community. It is a capital intensive industry.
• Lack of financial transparency. Implementation of EITI is very slow.
• Not always compatible with other industries, i.e. agriculture.
Peru has become the world’s envy due to its outstanding economic growth in the last decade.
Barack Obama, 2015
WEALTH of Mining VS. POVERTYIncredibly, the most impoverished regions of the country have the highest concentration
of mining activity. As the map shows, the mining industry is not contributing to the economic development of the mining regions.
Regions where more than 50% of the population live in poverty
Other Mining Areas
Mining Concessions and Social Conflicts
Law of Consultation
Concessions
Ecological Zoning and Land Rights
Distribution of Benefits
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental Impact Studies
Decentralized Conflict Management
Peru Joining Hands NetworkResponse to Issue of MINING at
the NATIONAL Level (Peru)
La Oroya
Sometimes the conflicts are international.
Case of Renco Group suing Peru for $800 million, claiming his “Investor Rights” as stipuatled in a Free Trade Agreement were violated
Peru Joining Hands NetworkResponse to Issue of MINING at
the GLOBAL Level
•“No Greater Rights for Foreign Investors” - Campaign to reform investment chapters of Free Trade Agreements
CLIMATE CHANGE
WATER CYCLEin WINTER
APRIL-SEPTEMBER
GLACIERS partially meltDRY CLIMATE
RIVERS, LAKES and GROUNDWATER TABLE diminish
Huaytapallana
1982 1987
1997
Regressions of Yanamarey Glacier in the Cordillera Blanca
2005
IMPACTS of Climate Change in Andean Regions of Peru
• Loss of crops in the mountains (corn, potatoes, lima beans, wheat), and loss of pastures in the high andean zones.
• Death/Sickness of animals: alpacas, bovine, sheep.
• Presence of disease in the general population.
• Child mortality due to intense cold spells in certain parts of the mountains.
• Increased malnutrition due to increased food insecurity.
• Loss of genetic materials, principally the potato.
• Displacement of crops from one ecological zone to another.
• Changes in the agricultural calendar.
• Changes to crop certifications.
• Migration of populations from rural to urban centers.
• Social Conflicts between communities and families over use of water.
United Nations Conference on Climate Change
December 1-12, Lima
Climate of Conflict Trip to Peru
VIDEO
Statement from Trip Participants
ｷ We believe that climate change is evidence of violence that affects the most vulnerable populations.
ｷ We are particularly concerned that the high level of consumption in many of our societies has created most of the recent climate problems.
ｷ Everyday we hear and see the evidence of climate change in the change of seasons, food production, availability of water, glaciers disappearing ,sea levels rising, and the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
ｷ We know that if nothing is done, we will leave the planet we borrowed from our ancestors unliveable for future generations.
Therefore, we urge:
ｷ Action by national and global authorities on adaptation and mitigation of climate change, paying particular attention to vulnerable populations;
ｷ A review of extractive industries and others that accelerate greenhouse gas emissions and impact water quality and quantity
ｷ Support for renewable energy and energy efficient technologies
ｷ Build healthier environments through more dynamic local economies.
And, we commit ourselves to:
ｷ Engage in a process of education to understand root causes of climate change, poverty and inequality; ｷ Accompany local organizations and populations vulnerable to climate changeｷ Seek a way of life that promotes harmony between humans and nature
A Few Action Steps in the U.S. in the Face of Climate Change
•Sign the Faithful Climate Petition
•“Tread Lightly” Lenten Devotional
•Become and EARTH CARE CONGREGATION: Worship, Education, Church Facilities, Local and Global Outreach
•Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches
•Guide to Going Carbon Neutral
•Ask President Obama and Congress to take stronger climate action before Paris 2015
•Participate in Joining Hands “No Greater Rights for Foreign Investors”
•Support World Mission
•Support One Great Hour of Sharing