Ecobreves – CHILE: Finalists Announced for Environmental “Anti-Prize”

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SANTIAGO, Jun 11 2012 (IPS) - The Chilean branch of international environmental watchdog Greenpeace is running its annual competition for the awarding of “anti-prizes” to the government authorities, politicians and businessmen who have been responsible for the worst environmental damages in the previous year. “The aim is to highlight the misdeeds of high-profile public figures to expose their disregard for the environment,” Greenpeace Chile executive director Matías Asún told Tierramérica. Three finalists have already been selected for the Environmental “Condorazo” Prize, whose name refers to a cartoon character and is a Chilean slang term used to describe foolish behavior. They are Supreme Court Justice Pedro Pierry, accused of a conflict of interest in his ruling in favor of the HidroAysén hydroelectric dam project; businessman Erick von Baer, who concealed his use of genetically modified crops; and Health Minister Jaime Mañalich, for his failure to monitor and control pollution in the beach resort town of Ventanas caused by a thermoelectric power plant.

At press time more than 12,000 people had cast their votes on the website for the competition, http://www.condorazoambiental.cl/. Voting will continue until Jun. 13, when the winner will be announced.