The 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) attempts to rank countries of the world based on their environmental credentials. How are Latin American nations judged to be doing, and is it a fair and accurate assessment? Continue reading What are the greenest countries in Latin America?
Plans to build a large hydroelectricity complex in the middle of the Atacama Desert have caught the attention of many, but Chile is one of the best-placed countries in the world for highly innovative energy projects of this kind. Continue reading Chile plans innovative hydroelectric power plant in world’s driest desert
Intense rainfall in the heart of South America has caused major rivers to overflow, resulting in widespread flooding that has displaced over 160,000 and is being blamed on a particularly severe El Niño event. Continue reading El Niño an unwelcome Christmas present as floods devastate Paraguay and Argentina
Colombia has a lot riding on the future of global climate change action, and also on there being a successful outcome from peace talks with FARC; the two are absolutely linked, and possibly even dependent on each other. Continue reading Colombia: Climate Change and Civil War, two existential problems with mutual solutions
Bolivia’s second largest lake has almost completely evaporated, leaving local fishermen and communities to count the cost of climate change and poor water management in a particularly vulnerable part of the world. Continue reading Bolivia’s second largest lake “disappears”, climate change the likely culprit
Experts believe that the current El Niño event – already among the strongest ever recorded – will reach its peak soon. But authorities across the region are confident they are as prepared as ever for the consequences. Continue reading Latin America ‘better prepared for El Niño’
Brazil achieves new record for electricity generated by wind power, as the country looks to a mix of renewables in order to make its energy mix cleaner and more reliable. Continue reading Brazil’s wind energy sector whirring into action
Ecuador’s plans to extract Yasuní oil are still in place, but could there be trouble ahead for President Rafael Correa – and hope for Yasuní’s defenders – thanks to low oil prices? Continue reading Ecuador: Could low oil prices still save Yasuní from devastation?
Amazon Watch releases video evidence depicting attempts by Chevron employees to cover up evidence of pollution in the Ecuadorean Amazon, in the latest twist in the long-running case against Chevron-Texaco. Continue reading Ecuador-Chevron case: New videos reveal Chevron attempts to cover up evidence of petroleum pollution in the Amazon
Governments and multilateral organisations are discussing how to make the most of Latin America’s rich natural resources, in a way that avoids the risk of socio-environmental conflicts and encourages social and economic development. Continue reading Latin America begins to debate the management of its natural resources
