PrintSend to friend Snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, glistening ice fields, old-growth forests, fjords and winding rivers, colorful desert landscapes and endless rugged coastline - this is the picture of environmental wonder that many have when they think of Chile. It is a country blessed with diversity and richness of resources which have offered so much opportunity to Chile and its people - opportunity to build world-class industries in fishing, forestry, mining and, most recently, tourism - opportunities to explore. But such abundance may be challenged by a global phenomenon of great significance - climate change. In this month’s magazine, we look at global warming, its impact on Chile and the country’s role in the global conversation. Much has been written about the threat of global climate change. However, little has been said about the opportunities which this phenomenon can offer. The fact that Chile is so uniquely rich in diverse resources, coupled with the fact that it is at the center of several important conversations related to climate change, including the thinning of the atmosphere's ozone layer and the changes in the El Niño phenomenon, mean that it has a privileged place in global dialogue on the subject. At the most fundamental level, this is an opportunity for Chile’s scientific community to provide global leadership through research and active participation in global debate. Juan Carlos Castilla of Chile’s Catholic University and a member of the prestigious Academy of Sciences of the United States, as well as the recent winner of the BBVA Foundation’s Prize for the Conservation of Biodiversity, has highlighted Chile’s potential for leadership in this area and has called for action. But what does this mean for business and for trade and investment? Is the news negative? Is the conversation one of tension between “saving” the environment and irresponsible development? Experience shows that this is not the case. In fact, the environmental changes being experienced throughout the world are challenges. Like all challenges, if they are not managed well, there could be a poor outcome. However, leading corporations in the world such as General Electric, Wal-Mart, Boeing, Toyota and 3M - to name a few - have seen this as an opportunity to innovate. Innovation takes the form of new products and new processes which increase efficiency and enhance competitiveness as well as contributing to the wellbeing of workers and consumers. Chilean companies have also been leaders in this area, starting with the forestry accord reached between Chile’s leading pulp and paper companies and the NGO community. The conclusion of last month’s meeting of the World Economic Forum in Chile highlighted the challenge of the environment for Latin America. Chile’s political and economic leaders have stressed the need for increased spending on research and development and for innovation to take Chile to the next level of development. What better opportunity could Chile have than to marry its unique geographical position and richness in natural resources with the excellence of the research skills of its internationally-recognized scientific community and its global reach through commerce, and for its prestigious business leaders to carve out a leadership role for the country in the twenty-first century? Look, as an example, at the potential for industry through the development of the market for carbon credits. Let us not forget that a local Chilean project was the first to implement this mechanism anywhere in the world! We at AmCham see an unparalleled opportunity for Chile. We will be working to promote the linkage between science, business and global markets in order to develop opportunities for our members, for Chile and for its people - and to make sure the next generation will inherit the earth.