Argentina's glacier protection law has sparked controversy after passing the Senate, with environmental groups protesting against the regulatory relaxations that threaten water resources.
On June 26, Argentina's Senate approved a controversial amendment to its glacier protection law with 40 votes in favor and 31 against, now awaiting final approval from the Chamber of Deputies. This legislative change is part of President Javier Milei's push to attract billions in investments for the mining and energy sectors, which he argues is crucial for economic development. However, critics label him as 'South America's Trump' due to his aggressive deregulation stance.
The amendment permits individual provinces to set their own protection standards for glaciers, a shift from the previous policy that protected all registered glaciers. Furthermore, it aims to reduce protected areas around glaciers, thus facilitating the extraction of essential minerals like copper and lithium. Environmentalists claim that this move undermines vital water sources for millions of residents, as glaciers play a critical role in providing drinking water and irrigation.
Protests have erupted in front of the National Congress, with activists denouncing the amendment as an act of 'ecological genocide,' emphasizing that it threatens Argentina's water supply system. The debate over the law encapsulates the larger conflict between economic development and environmental conservation, raising questions about how to balance resource extraction with the protection of essential ecosystems.
