• Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, to support what forests and oceans naturally do.

The problem of global warming has caused severe changes in ecosystems, like desertification and the melting of glaciers, and has placed countries all over the world in a bind.

Last December, 187 countries gathered at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) held in Paris, France. They committed to establish mechanisms to limit the temperature increase and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).

According to Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, climate change has always existed, but in the past, it was caused by natural phenomena.

“The planet’s climate has always changed for the continental drift, variations in the Earth’s rotation axis, massive volcanic eruptions, among others,” the expert explains.

However, the substantial presence of CO2 in the atmosphere has pushed climate change to alarming levels, where the excess energy accumulated in the environment has resulted in the melting of glaciers, desertification and the rising of ocean levels.

“Measurements in weather stations around the world have shown that the average temperature of the planet has increased by 0.8°C, and that ice masses have decreased and sea levels have increased about 25 cm,” Dr Cañete explains.

Capture of CO2

Although the expert thinks that it is essential for countries to propose changes in this matter, he thinks that efforts should be made not only to reduce emissions but also to provide tools to capture what is polluting the ecosystem.

“Even if all countries in the world decided not to release more CO2 into the atmosphere, the natural system of the Earth would take at least seventy years to absorb the excess energy,” Dr Cañete says. Today, only forests and oceans do that work, “therefore, returning to ‘normal’ temperatures would take long.”

This is the reason why Dr Cañete thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases.

He says that in spite of the current neglect, “there are quite enough new initiatives focused on artificially generating plants which are able to efficiently capture CO2. These plants will be able to grow in desert areas.”

In this regard, the State should provide tax incentives to organizations that promote afforestation “to contribute to the capture of CO2 in order to reduce global warming,” he says.

Universidad de Santiago de Chile is doing its part. According to the expert, “at the university, we are proposing initiatives, like a special tax treatment (land tax) for companies, organizations and universities with large green areas. If they have many vigorously growing plants and trees, it means that they are capturing CO2.”

He concludes that it is necessary to change the existing paradigm and understand that, to address global warming, both reducing and capturing greenhouse gases are equally important.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• At the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

​

During the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works, presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

The method simulates a physical habitat that includes fish and also leisure time activities, like sport fishing. The purpose of this model is to provide a way of measuring how much water these small power plants require to keep constantly operating, without damaging the ecosystem and independently of rain shortages.

Current Chilean regulations establish that there always should be a specific water flow limit to preserve river ecosystems. However, Dr Peredo says that, just like flora and fauna vary according to dry and rainy years, water flow should change to preserve that ecosystem.

“If more water runs, the volume of water should be higher; and if less water runs, then the volume should be lower. What should not happen is to always keep the minimum volume of water stated by the national regulations, as this not sustainable,” he says.

He adds that the purpose of the model developed is to allow the possibility of bringing more water to generate hydroelectric power by means of variations in the ecologic water volume, and at the same time, to protect the ecosystem. “This is the reason why this is a sustainable energy development.”

The study results could propose more diverse ways of hydroelectric power generation, promoting the incorporation of small power plants.

“The goal is not to rely only on large power plants, but also on small plants, as they could contribute to meet energy demands during dry seasons,” he explains.

The study allowed to conclude that rivers naturally change their flows, as they are flexible. This is why in dry years, water volume should be reduced: to have a delta of water that could be used by small power plants.

For his part, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile highlights the importance of this study and the support that our university “gives to this type of initiative, through which professors can strengthen their academic and scientific networks to build knowledge at the service of our country.”

He said that the seminar “allowed to reflect on how to transfer the results and new knowledge to environmental assessment agencies and the market through training activities, seminars, conferences and the development of written material, among others.”

In this project, Dr Peredo worked in partnership with the Environmental Assessment Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental, SEA), that requested and validated this work, and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO, in Spanish), that funded the project through a public goods for competitiveness contest.

The Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works of this university, together with a multidisciplinary team of 25 professionals including hydrologists, geographers, biologists and experts in rural development and environmental engineers, worked at this project.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The activity that was held at our University had the presence of Timothy Kane, the Australian Ambassador in Chile; Ian Satchwell, the Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering and other local experts, who analyzed the alternatives to develop mining extraction operations that care for both the environment and communities. During his speech, professor Satchwell said “We have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, the responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges”.

Chile and Australia are two of the major mining producers worldwide. Both countries have a vast experience in the mining extraction industry that can be shared with the aim of developing a sustainable mining industry that respects the environment and communities.

To face this challenge, on April 8th, our University held a panel discussion that was presented by the Australian Ambassador in Chile, Timothy Kane and had the presence of Ian Satchwell, Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Isabel Marshall, Director of the Sustainability Committee of CESCO; Jorge Sanhueza, Manager of Environment and Communities of CODELCO; Matías Desmadryl, a lawyer expert in natural resources regulations, and Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering of our University.

During the activity organized by the Australian Embassy in Chile and our Department of International and Inter-University Relations, Ambassador Kane valued the importance of this initiative and said that it was a “privilege” to have the opportunity of being at this international meeting “in one of the best educational institutions of Chile and, together with other experts, seek answers to common problems for both countries.”

This panel discussion- that took place at the Auditorium of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science- was also attended by professors and students of the Mining Engineering program of our University, who had the possibility of asking questions to the panelists.

During his speech, professor Ian Satchwell said “we have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, developing methods for responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges for the future of mining industry in the world.”

“Our main challenge is the responsible use of natural resources, understanding their real value. For example, the value that water has for people in our countries, as it is a very scarce good,” Stachwell said.

This panel discussion on the challenges faced by mining industry was held at Universidad de Santiago, in the context of CESCO Week, the World Copper Conference that took place in Santiago.

Academic partnerships

Carol Johnson, Head of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations of our University described the meeting as “successful” and informed that conversations tending to strengthen the academic links between Universidad de Santiago and Higher Education Institutions in Australia were started.

“Ambassador Ken met with President Zolezzi and expressed his interest in creating collaboration links regarding priority fields, like mining industry, exact sciences, engineering and international studies,” Johnson said.

She said that the activity “met the goals proposed and it indeed exceeded our expectations.”

“Through this activity, links were strengthened between Australia and our University. Also, it opened the possibility of having new meetings and bringing renowned foreign academics to address contingent matters of national interest, as sustainable mining industry, in this case. This debate is of interest to both our University and our country, which are important leaders in this field,” Carol Johnson concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The activity that was held at our University had the presence of Timothy Kane, the Australian Ambassador in Chile; Ian Satchwell, the Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering and other local experts, who analyzed the alternatives to develop mining extraction operations that care for both the environment and communities. During his speech, professor Satchwell said “We have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, the responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges”.

Chile and Australia are two of the major mining producers worldwide. Both countries have a vast experience in the mining extraction industry that can be shared with the aim of developing a sustainable mining industry that respects the environment and communities.

To face this challenge, on April 8th, our University held a panel discussion that was presented by the Australian Ambassador in Chile, Timothy Kane and had the presence of Ian Satchwell, Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Isabel Marshall, Director of the Sustainability Committee of CESCO; Jorge Sanhueza, Manager of Environment and Communities of CODELCO; Matías Desmadryl, a lawyer expert in natural resources regulations, and Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering of our University.

During the activity organized by the Australian Embassy in Chile and our Department of International and Inter-University Relations, Ambassador Kane valued the importance of this initiative and said that it was a “privilege” to have the opportunity of being at this international meeting “in one of the best educational institutions of Chile and, together with other experts, seek answers to common problems for both countries.”

This panel discussion- that took place at the Auditorium of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science- was also attended by professors and students of the Mining Engineering program of our University, who had the possibility of asking questions to the panelists.

During his speech, professor Ian Satchwell said “we have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, developing methods for responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges for the future of mining industry in the world.”

“Our main challenge is the responsible use of natural resources, understanding their real value. For example, the value that water has for people in our countries, as it is a very scarce good,” Stachwell said.

This panel discussion on the challenges faced by mining industry was held at Universidad de Santiago, in the context of CESCO Week, the World Copper Conference that took place in Santiago.

Academic partnerships

Carol Johnson, Head of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations of our University described the meeting as “successful” and informed that conversations tending to strengthen the academic links between Universidad de Santiago and Higher Education Institutions in Australia were started.

“Ambassador Ken met with President Zolezzi and expressed his interest in creating collaboration links regarding priority fields, like mining industry, exact sciences, engineering and international studies,” Johnson said.

She said that the activity “met the goals proposed and it indeed exceeded our expectations.”

“Through this activity, links were strengthened between Australia and our University. Also, it opened the possibility of having new meetings and bringing renowned foreign academics to address contingent matters of national interest, as sustainable mining industry, in this case. This debate is of interest to both our University and our country, which are important leaders in this field,” Carol Johnson concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, to support what forests and oceans naturally do.

The problem of global warming has caused severe changes in ecosystems, like desertification and the melting of glaciers, and has placed countries all over the world in a bind.

Last December, 187 countries gathered at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) held in Paris, France. They committed to establish mechanisms to limit the temperature increase and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).

According to Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, climate change has always existed, but in the past, it was caused by natural phenomena.

“The planet’s climate has always changed for the continental drift, variations in the Earth’s rotation axis, massive volcanic eruptions, among others,” the expert explains.

However, the substantial presence of CO2 in the atmosphere has pushed climate change to alarming levels, where the excess energy accumulated in the environment has resulted in the melting of glaciers, desertification and the rising of ocean levels.

“Measurements in weather stations around the world have shown that the average temperature of the planet has increased by 0.8°C, and that ice masses have decreased and sea levels have increased about 25 cm,” Dr Cañete explains.

Capture of CO2

Although the expert thinks that it is essential for countries to propose changes in this matter, he thinks that efforts should be made not only to reduce emissions but also to provide tools to capture what is polluting the ecosystem.

“Even if all countries in the world decided not to release more CO2 into the atmosphere, the natural system of the Earth would take at least seventy years to absorb the excess energy,” Dr Cañete says. Today, only forests and oceans do that work, “therefore, returning to ‘normal’ temperatures would take long.”

This is the reason why Dr Cañete thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases.

He says that in spite of the current neglect, “there are quite enough new initiatives focused on artificially generating plants which are able to efficiently capture CO2. These plants will be able to grow in desert areas.”

In this regard, the State should provide tax incentives to organizations that promote afforestation “to contribute to the capture of CO2 in order to reduce global warming,” he says.

Universidad de Santiago de Chile is doing its part. According to the expert, “at the university, we are proposing initiatives, like a special tax treatment (land tax) for companies, organizations and universities with large green areas. If they have many vigorously growing plants and trees, it means that they are capturing CO2.”

He concludes that it is necessary to change the existing paradigm and understand that, to address global warming, both reducing and capturing greenhouse gases are equally important.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• At the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

​

During the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works, presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

The method simulates a physical habitat that includes fish and also leisure time activities, like sport fishing. The purpose of this model is to provide a way of measuring how much water these small power plants require to keep constantly operating, without damaging the ecosystem and independently of rain shortages.

Current Chilean regulations establish that there always should be a specific water flow limit to preserve river ecosystems. However, Dr Peredo says that, just like flora and fauna vary according to dry and rainy years, water flow should change to preserve that ecosystem.

“If more water runs, the volume of water should be higher; and if less water runs, then the volume should be lower. What should not happen is to always keep the minimum volume of water stated by the national regulations, as this not sustainable,” he says.

He adds that the purpose of the model developed is to allow the possibility of bringing more water to generate hydroelectric power by means of variations in the ecologic water volume, and at the same time, to protect the ecosystem. “This is the reason why this is a sustainable energy development.”

The study results could propose more diverse ways of hydroelectric power generation, promoting the incorporation of small power plants.

“The goal is not to rely only on large power plants, but also on small plants, as they could contribute to meet energy demands during dry seasons,” he explains.

The study allowed to conclude that rivers naturally change their flows, as they are flexible. This is why in dry years, water volume should be reduced: to have a delta of water that could be used by small power plants.

For his part, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile highlights the importance of this study and the support that our university “gives to this type of initiative, through which professors can strengthen their academic and scientific networks to build knowledge at the service of our country.”

He said that the seminar “allowed to reflect on how to transfer the results and new knowledge to environmental assessment agencies and the market through training activities, seminars, conferences and the development of written material, among others.”

In this project, Dr Peredo worked in partnership with the Environmental Assessment Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental, SEA), that requested and validated this work, and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO, in Spanish), that funded the project through a public goods for competitiveness contest.

The Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works of this university, together with a multidisciplinary team of 25 professionals including hydrologists, geographers, biologists and experts in rural development and environmental engineers, worked at this project.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, to support what forests and oceans naturally do.

The problem of global warming has caused severe changes in ecosystems, like desertification and the melting of glaciers, and has placed countries all over the world in a bind.

Last December, 187 countries gathered at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) held in Paris, France. They committed to establish mechanisms to limit the temperature increase and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).

According to Dr Lucio Cañete, professor at the Technological Faculty of Universidad de Santiago, climate change has always existed, but in the past, it was caused by natural phenomena.

“The planet’s climate has always changed for the continental drift, variations in the Earth’s rotation axis, massive volcanic eruptions, among others,” the expert explains.

However, the substantial presence of CO2 in the atmosphere has pushed climate change to alarming levels, where the excess energy accumulated in the environment has resulted in the melting of glaciers, desertification and the rising of ocean levels.

“Measurements in weather stations around the world have shown that the average temperature of the planet has increased by 0.8°C, and that ice masses have decreased and sea levels have increased about 25 cm,” Dr Cañete explains.

Capture of CO2

Although the expert thinks that it is essential for countries to propose changes in this matter, he thinks that efforts should be made not only to reduce emissions but also to provide tools to capture what is polluting the ecosystem.

“Even if all countries in the world decided not to release more CO2 into the atmosphere, the natural system of the Earth would take at least seventy years to absorb the excess energy,” Dr Cañete says. Today, only forests and oceans do that work, “therefore, returning to ‘normal’ temperatures would take long.”

This is the reason why Dr Cañete thinks that the State should promote the development of technology to capture harmful greenhouse gases.

He says that in spite of the current neglect, “there are quite enough new initiatives focused on artificially generating plants which are able to efficiently capture CO2. These plants will be able to grow in desert areas.”

In this regard, the State should provide tax incentives to organizations that promote afforestation “to contribute to the capture of CO2 in order to reduce global warming,” he says.

Universidad de Santiago de Chile is doing its part. According to the expert, “at the university, we are proposing initiatives, like a special tax treatment (land tax) for companies, organizations and universities with large green areas. If they have many vigorously growing plants and trees, it means that they are capturing CO2.”

He concludes that it is necessary to change the existing paradigm and understand that, to address global warming, both reducing and capturing greenhouse gases are equally important.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• At the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

​

During the “Variabilidad Hidrológica en la Determinación del Caudal Ecológico” seminar held at Universidad de Santiago, Dr Matías Peredo, professor at the Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works, presented a new model that allows small hydroelectric power plants to have a constant flow of river water.

The method simulates a physical habitat that includes fish and also leisure time activities, like sport fishing. The purpose of this model is to provide a way of measuring how much water these small power plants require to keep constantly operating, without damaging the ecosystem and independently of rain shortages.

Current Chilean regulations establish that there always should be a specific water flow limit to preserve river ecosystems. However, Dr Peredo says that, just like flora and fauna vary according to dry and rainy years, water flow should change to preserve that ecosystem.

“If more water runs, the volume of water should be higher; and if less water runs, then the volume should be lower. What should not happen is to always keep the minimum volume of water stated by the national regulations, as this not sustainable,” he says.

He adds that the purpose of the model developed is to allow the possibility of bringing more water to generate hydroelectric power by means of variations in the ecologic water volume, and at the same time, to protect the ecosystem. “This is the reason why this is a sustainable energy development.”

The study results could propose more diverse ways of hydroelectric power generation, promoting the incorporation of small power plants.

“The goal is not to rely only on large power plants, but also on small plants, as they could contribute to meet energy demands during dry seasons,” he explains.

The study allowed to conclude that rivers naturally change their flows, as they are flexible. This is why in dry years, water volume should be reduced: to have a delta of water that could be used by small power plants.

For his part, Dr Juan Manuel Zolezzi, President of Universidad de Santiago de Chile highlights the importance of this study and the support that our university “gives to this type of initiative, through which professors can strengthen their academic and scientific networks to build knowledge at the service of our country.”

He said that the seminar “allowed to reflect on how to transfer the results and new knowledge to environmental assessment agencies and the market through training activities, seminars, conferences and the development of written material, among others.”

In this project, Dr Peredo worked in partnership with the Environmental Assessment Service (Servicio de Evaluación Ambiental, SEA), that requested and validated this work, and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO, in Spanish), that funded the project through a public goods for competitiveness contest.

The Department of Civil Engineering in Civil Works of this university, together with a multidisciplinary team of 25 professionals including hydrologists, geographers, biologists and experts in rural development and environmental engineers, worked at this project.

Translated by Marcela Contreras

• The activity that was held at our University had the presence of Timothy Kane, the Australian Ambassador in Chile; Ian Satchwell, the Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering and other local experts, who analyzed the alternatives to develop mining extraction operations that care for both the environment and communities. During his speech, professor Satchwell said “We have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, the responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges”.

Chile and Australia are two of the major mining producers worldwide. Both countries have a vast experience in the mining extraction industry that can be shared with the aim of developing a sustainable mining industry that respects the environment and communities.

To face this challenge, on April 8th, our University held a panel discussion that was presented by the Australian Ambassador in Chile, Timothy Kane and had the presence of Ian Satchwell, Director of the International Mining for Development Centre of Australia; Isabel Marshall, Director of the Sustainability Committee of CESCO; Jorge Sanhueza, Manager of Environment and Communities of CODELCO; Matías Desmadryl, a lawyer expert in natural resources regulations, and Dr. Aldo Saavedra, professor at the Department of Chemistry Engineering of our University.

During the activity organized by the Australian Embassy in Chile and our Department of International and Inter-University Relations, Ambassador Kane valued the importance of this initiative and said that it was a “privilege” to have the opportunity of being at this international meeting “in one of the best educational institutions of Chile and, together with other experts, seek answers to common problems for both countries.”

This panel discussion- that took place at the Auditorium of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science- was also attended by professors and students of the Mining Engineering program of our University, who had the possibility of asking questions to the panelists.

During his speech, professor Ian Satchwell said “we have learned many lessons from our mining experience in Australia that can be applied to the mining industry in Chile and Latin America; for example, developing methods for responsible water management, which should represent one of our main challenges for the future of mining industry in the world.”

“Our main challenge is the responsible use of natural resources, understanding their real value. For example, the value that water has for people in our countries, as it is a very scarce good,” Stachwell said.

This panel discussion on the challenges faced by mining industry was held at Universidad de Santiago, in the context of CESCO Week, the World Copper Conference that took place in Santiago.

Academic partnerships

Carol Johnson, Head of the Department of International and Inter-University Relations of our University described the meeting as “successful” and informed that conversations tending to strengthen the academic links between Universidad de Santiago and Higher Education Institutions in Australia were started.

“Ambassador Ken met with President Zolezzi and expressed his interest in creating collaboration links regarding priority fields, like mining industry, exact sciences, engineering and international studies,” Johnson said.

She said that the activity “met the goals proposed and it indeed exceeded our expectations.”

“Through this activity, links were strengthened between Australia and our University. Also, it opened the possibility of having new meetings and bringing renowned foreign academics to address contingent matters of national interest, as sustainable mining industry, in this case. This debate is of interest to both our University and our country, which are important leaders in this field,” Carol Johnson concluded.

Translated by Marcela Contreras