Nuclear power was encouraged by the military, which covered up leaks and accidents from the two main plants û Atocha I and II. Otherwise, the main concerns are the extreme pollution of rivers in Buenos Aires, the 50% depletion of the ozone layer in southern regions and the illegal export of rare birds, particularly from the north.
Environmental issues are of increasing interest to the electorate, but have yet to make a political impact. In 1993, however, residents in Tierra del Fuego succeeded in diverting an oil pipeline to save a colony of penguins.
