Across northern South America, the promise of agrofuels has been heralded as a key contribution to national energy transitions. Governments in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela have promoted biodiesel and ethanol production as steps toward decarbonization and energy independence. Yet a closer look reveals a troubling paradox: crops like oil palm and sugarcane, intended to fuel a “green” transition, have instead displaced food production and intensified social inequality. Different reports show that vast tracts of fertile land, once used for local food, are now dominated by monocultures for export and biofuel processing. Marco Pernavarre reports. Read More
Author: Marco Pérez Navarrete
Fossil gas is locking Mexico and Central America into US energy dependence
In recent years, natural gas, often rebranded as fossil gas, has gained prominence in Mexico and Central America as a supposed ‘transition fuel’. This narrative suggests that natural gas can serve as a temporary replacement for more polluting fossil fuels such as coal and oil, facilitating a gradual shift toward renewable energy. Yet this framing is increasingly challenged by environmental organisations and affected communities, who argue that the expansion of gas infrastructure establishes a new geopolitical and environmental dependency, particularly on the United States of America. As the US becomes the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), its influence over regional energy systems deepens, reshaping both national strategies and regional vulnerabilities. Marco Pernavarre reports. Read More
A global race without a future: critical mineral extraction in South America
In the global race toward decarbonization, South America stands as both a beacon of potential and a cautionary tale. Brazil, Argentina and Chile, three nations often heralded as leaders in renewable energy, are now confronting a paradox: can an energy transition built on extractivism truly be sustainable? As the demand for “green” minerals such as lithium intensifies, the region’s ecosystems and communities are paying an increasingly visible price. While the global powers demand minerals, the South is barely able to support its most vulnerable populations. Are we witnessing a genuine transformation, or merely a rebranding of old extractive models under a greener illusion? Marco Pérez-Navarrete reports.