In her first term as president of Chile, from 2006 to 2010, Michelle Bachelet received mixed reviews from green advocates. Her creation of the country’s first-ever environment ministry drew applause, for instance, but environmentalists faulted her for supporting large-scale mining and hydroelectric projects in sensitive environmental areas. The Chilean constitution prohibits presidents from serving consecutive terms, so Bachelet was ineligible to run in the 2010 election won by current President Sebastián Piñera. But this month she earned a second four-year stint with an easy presidential runoff victory, giving her a chance to update her environmental record. Bachelet’s advisors say her center-left New Majority coalition plans to take full advantage of the opportunity. Among the more controversial environmental aspects of Bachelet’s first... [Log in to read more]