From that moment, there have been hundreds of protest actions around the world that generally coincide with the activities held to mark the World Water Day on March 22nd.

One of the main leaders in this struggle is the Latin American Network against Dams and for Rivers, Communities and Water (Redlar). This Network has been in charge of the most paradigmatic struggles to halt the building of megaprojects and the displacement of communities.

Beyond the resistance to specific initiatives, these discussions include several dimensions that are important to take into account, among them the right to defend territories, food sovereignty of our countries and the role high-energy consumers play, especially at the level of governments.

It is also important to put on the table the energy alternatives explored by the social movements. For instance, this week, Radioagencia Noticias do Planalto, interviewed Daiane Hohn, a member of the national coordination of the Movement of Dam-Affected People (MAB), about these issues.

Among other things, the Brazilian activist criticized the Brazilian energy model, but also talked about the features of a “peoples project” around this sector in order for the energy produced to benefit the Brazilian people.

“The energy source used by the Brazilian government is hydropower. A peoples energy project is based on other sources of energy which should be studied or implemented, such as wind power, solar energy and hydropower itself, but not at this level”, said the MAB activist, convinced that this is a political debate, not a technical one.

In addition to the tens of activities that the MAB is preparing, other activities will take place in Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Panama and Argentina, among other countries.

For instance, in Alba Rose, Misiones Province, Argentina, local environmental groups will protest against the building of Panambí and Garabí dams, while the Mexican Movement of People Affected by Dams and in Defense of Rivers (MAPDER) is calling a series of mobilizations in different parts of the country on March 14, which will be covered by Real World Radio.

Photo: Redlar