Development & Aid, Environment, Tierramerica - Ecobrief

Ecobreves – CHILE: Award for Worst Polluting Businessman

SANTIAGO, Jun 10 2006 (IPS) - On Jun. 5, World Environment Day, the eco-watchdog Greenpeace awarded its 2006 Environmental “Condorazo” Prize to magnate Anacleto Angelini, accused of being responsible for ecological disasters caused by pulp mill factories in southern Chile.

An activist wearing a devil costume, accompanied by two little she-devils, presented this “recognition” to Charles Kimberg, head of corporate operations for Angelini's Celco company, in Santiago.

Angelini deserved the award because of the destruction to the Cruces River nature sanctuary in the southern province of Valdivia, and for building another paper mill in the Nuble region that will pollute the Itata River and a farming valley, Monica Infante, communications director for Greenpeace-Chile, told Tierramérica.

The award is named the “Condorazo”, and refers to a cartoon character that in Chilean slang is used to describe foolish behavior.