In Argentina, environmental activists mobilized on Thursday to demand a law to protect wetlands. They want to take advantage of COP27 in Egypt to force the hand of deputies, and regulate economic activities in these ecosystems essential to climate regulation.
With our correspondent in Buenos Aires, Theo Conscience
Like hundreds of environmental activists, Abel Arguello came to be heard under the windows of Congress in Buenos Aires. The objective is to put pressure on the deputies who study in committee the bills for the protection of wetlands.
” We have been campaigning and fighting for this law for a long time, but obviously there is no will to move forward on this subject in Parliament. he says.
Since 2013, the lower house has indeed rejected several texts aimed at preserve wetlands, which had nevertheless been adopted by the Senate. According to Martin Luciata, who lives in the Tigray delta, MPs systematically give in to lobbies. ” Elected officials do not represent us, as they serve real estate interests, agribusiness interests, and lithium industry interests he says.
” Fundamental role in climate regulation »
These are all activities that threaten these ecosystems, which are essential to environmental balance. ” Wetlands have a fundamental role in regulating the climate. They are carbon sinks. With the problem of climate change, we need this law as soon as possible “recalls Andrea Vizzotti.
An amended version of the bill was finally adopted in committee. But the defenders of the environment do not claim victory: if the text is not studied in plenary session by December 30, it will have to start from scratch.
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