Chile: Santiago Declares Environmental Emergency

Air pollution in Santiago, Chile, has taken a turn for the worst, causing sickness among residents and prompting capital city authorities to declare its first environmental emergency since 1999. This means that more than 900 industries will be temporarily shut down and around 40% of the city’s 1.7 million cars will be taken off the streets. The emergency will be in effect for 24 hours and may be extended if authorities determine that conditions have not improved. teleSUR