Chile‘s history, much like America’s, is a tapestry woven with threads of political upheaval, economic shifts, and social unrest. But unlike the United States, Chile’s narrative is uniquely intertwined with the volatile forces of nature.From devastating droughts to catastrophic floods, extreme climatic events have acted as catalysts, exacerbating existing tensions and, at times, even altering the course of the nation’s destiny. These events laid the groundwork for governmental reform, social movements, and have, in some instances, influenced the rise and fall of political regimes.

Echoes of the Past: Climate as a Catalyst

Consider the drought of 1924. This wasn’t simply a dry spell; it was a social detonator. As crops withered and water sources dwindled, tensions flared, leading to protests and political instability reminiscent of the Dust Bowl era in the United states. The “Sable noise” of September, followed by December’s widespread calls for wage increases to combat rising food costs, painted a picture of a nation on edge. By March 1925, Chile was convulsing with conspiracies, rallies, strikes, and mass mobilizations. The tragedies of the Marusia and La Coruña workers served as grim milestones, culminating in the military coup led by Carlos Ibáñez in July 1927.

In the words of historical analysts, the chaos of that time was a result of long-term instability. “the crises raided Arturo Alessandri and in March 1925 he expressed himself with all its intensity through conspiracies, rallies, strikes and popular mobilizations.”

When Rivers Became Seas: The Floods of 1877

Decades earlier, in 1877, Chile faced another climate-induced crisis: devastating floods that swept across the country just before the War of the Pacific. These floods triggered an economic and social crisis. The floods crippled infrastructure and agriculture, which subsequently destabilized the economy.

Facing these conditions in his presidential address, Aníbal Pinto admitted that “It was no longer possible to cut fiscal expense to mitigate the crisis and state indebtedness.”

Benjamín vicuña Mackenna, reflecting on the disaster, described the “Sad night from Chile” on July 14th, noting that at dawn “The rivers had disappeared from Chile: there were only seas.”

the floods’ impact was far-reaching, leading to bad harvests, food shortages, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The exploitation of saltpeter became a key strategy to stabilize the economy, reducing hunger and social uncertainty.

Boom and Bust: The Vulnerability of Prosperity

Chile, much like many developing nations, became integrated into the global economy in the mid-19th century, exporting cereals and minerals, experiencing economic growth that fueled the optimism of elites. However, as the United States learned during the Great depression, such prosperity is vulnerable to the whims of the international market. The economic crisis of the 1870s deflated expectations, and exports lost profitability in international markets. These economic realities underscored the fragile nature of Chile’s economic model, heavily reliant on external demand and susceptible to global economic downturns.

Recurring Catastrophes: A Pattern Emerges

The late 19th century brought another series of extreme climatic events. In 1899 and 1900, Santiago experienced rainfall exceeding 800 millimeters per year – more than double the average – causing massive floods. These catastrophes coincided with the rise of modern social movements. The food shortage, housing destruction, and overall discontent fueled by these climatic disasters contributed to the strengthening of the labor movement, demanding better living conditions and greater social justice.

drought and discontent: The Agrarian Reform Era

In 1968, during the Agrarian Reform, a severe drought struck, impacting rural communities. While lands were being redistributed to peasants, the lack of water limited their productive use, leading to tensions and conflicts. A few years after this event, the military took power, marking another break in the country’s history. This mirrors the challenges faced by American farmers during droughts, highlighting the critical importance of water management and irrigation in agricultural sustainability.

Solidarity in the Face of Disaster: The Floods of 1982

In 1982, Chile faced one of its worst floods, just weeks after an economic crisis sent the price of the dollar soaring.The waters devastated communities along the Mapocho River and the San Carlos Canal. Yet, from this disaster emerged a sense of unity. “after a decade of repression and social fragmentation,the catastrophe generated a reborn of solidarity between the popular sectors,” This resilience led to the creation of “Common pots and mutual aid networks,” laying the groundwork for the large-scale protests of 1983 that signaled the beginning of the end for the military regime.

Lessons for the Future: Building Resilience

These historical episodes demonstrate the profound impact of climatic events on Chilean society. While not the sole cause of social and political changes, their influence on the economy, food security, and social association is undeniable. As Chile faces the challenges of climate change, these lessons from the past offer valuable guidance for building a more resilient future. This includes investing in infrastructure, improving water management, and strengthening social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of extreme weather events.

“In a forestry society and with an adequate territory planning probably the extreme climatic phenomena would be more cushioned and these circumstances would have a lower socioeconomic impact,” historical records state.

Our environmental history demonstrates that nature influences historical events, so it is essential to consider this interaction in public policies and territorial planning. The unpredictability has human, economic, and political costs.

The Inevitable: Climate Change and chile’s Future

The looming threat of climate change could exacerbate political, economic, and social crises.Strengthening territorial planning and preventing the consequences of extreme climatic phenomena are more crucial than ever. As Roland mellafe called it, recognizing our vulnerabilities to extreme events, or as the historian was called Rolando Mellafe, “Infaust events.”

Given the scientific forecast,it is indeed crucial to strengthen territorial planning and prevent the consequences of extreme climatic phenomena. The story demonstrates it, emphasizes.