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Brazil Colombia Fossil Fuel

Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in Latin America— Brazil and Colombia

Bailey Rodriguez

Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in Latin America— Brazil and Colombia

Latin America has abundant biodiversity and socio-environmental complexity that contribute to its challenges and opportunities in fossil fuel infrastructure. The extraction and distribution of fossil fuels including gas and oil, contribute to various struggles in multiple Latin American countries. Brazil and Colombia are amongst some of the most heavily affected in Latin America. Fossil fuel infrastructure directly affects environmental conservation and economic development in these two countries, contributing to climate change, sustainable development, and indigenous rights.

What is Fossil Fuel Infrastructure?

Fossil fuel infrastructure includes any facilities used to extract, distribute, or refine fossil fuels, including gas, coal, and oil. Some examples include pipelines, storage facilities, drilling rigs, and refineries. Many Latin American countries are exceptionally reliant on fossil fuel infrastructure for economics, however this results in significant environmental and social challenges. As fossil fuel infrastructure continues to grow, so does environmental degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions, which leads to the displacement of communities, wildlife, and vegetation.

Brazil Fossil Fuel Impact

The country of Brazil is well-known for its rich rainforest that is home to an abundance of biodiversity. The enormous rainforest plays an immense role in global climate regulation for this reason. However, it also faces crucial environmental and social impacts as a result of fossil fuel infrastructure. Recent fossil fuel infrastructure has become a severe threat to Brazil’s rainforest, affecting the entire country. 

As outlined by Aimee Gabay via Monagaby.com, a huge oil and gas auction in the Amazon Rainforest occurred in December of 2023. It affected the rainforest significantly, while also threatening indigenous lands nearby. The auction represents a comprehensive trend in fossil fuel exploitation growth.

Aimee Gabay reports that “Fifteen protected areas, 22 Indigenous lands and five Quilombola territories may be affected by this year’s blocks on auction, according to an analysis by the Arayara International Institute, a civil society organization”. This demonstrates how many indigenous communities are disregarded their land rights through the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. 

Brazil’s fossil fuel infrastructure impacts both the environment and socio-economics. For example, many indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon are the first affected. As disclosed by Sarah Brown through Mongabay.com, many “Indigenous groups who live and depend on the Amazon Rainforest lament that they haven’t been heard or involved in important decision-making during COP28 that would ultimately impact them”.

The Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva struggles to balance environmental conservation and economic growth in his country. According to Johnathan Watts, environmental advocates demand it necessary for President Lula to phase out oil production by converting to more sustainable energy sources. However, in a country so heavily reliant on fossil fuel infrastructure through its economy, it is a difficult obstacle to overcome successfully. 

 

 

 

“Brazil announced plans that could make it the world’s fourth-largest oil producer by the end of this decade” –Sarah Brown via Mongabay.com

 

 

Last year, Gabriela Sarmet and Christian Poirier disclosed that Brazilian President Lula “emphasized the importance of avoiding an ecological transition” by “promoting a ‘Green Plan’ to transition away from fossil fuels, which paradoxically relies on an expansion of mining like he opined against.”

 

 

 

However, today, Brazil continues to struggle with the growth of fossil fuel infrastructure due to its economic opportunities it also provides. Environmental degradation and fossil fuel extraction create economic benefits at the cost of environmental and indigenous rights, which challenge President Lula to find a middle ground that supports both the Brazilian economy, society, and environment.

Colombia Fossil Fuel Impact

“Fighting this issue over and over means we just stay in the same place. This has to stop. The science is there, the evidence is clear. We know the problem and we know the solution. The solution is also clear.” –Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

Colombia is also facing similar issues of fossil impacts in Latin America, but addressing them differently than Brazil. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has adopted a confrontational climate policy, addressing the importance of moving away from fossil fuels. 

Catherine Osborn reveals how “Oil is Colombia’s No. 1 export, but the president is spearheading a concerted push to green Colombia’s economy and halted new oil exploration contracts after taking office in August 2022”. This reveals how Colombia undergoes much greater efforts to lessen fossil fuel use. Osborn explains how Colombia addresses “‘old rules of the economy’ need to change for developing countries to meet their environmental goals” They reveal how “these include rules about sovereign debt and the conditions for climate-related loans.”

 

“The moratorium on new oil contracts could mean the country misses out on short-term economic growth” –Catherine Osborn

 

According to Patrick Greenfield, in 2023, Colombia “formally joined an alliance of nations calling for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty to prevent the ‘omnicide of planet Earth’, the country’s president announced at Cop28”. Gustavo Petro has made continuous efforts to lessen fossil fuel infrastructure by joining this alliance. Notably, Columbia became the 10th nation-state to vouch for the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal. On X.com, Colombia continues to  reveal its efforts in relation to climate advocacy efforts, such as lessening fossil fuels. 

 

 

 

As outlined by Osborn in March of 2024, “Colombia’s opposition to new fossil fuel exploration has put pressure on its neighbors. At a summit of Amazon rainforest nations last year, Petro publicly called on countries such as Brazil to commit to abstaining from oil exploration in the Amazon region”. This demonstrates how Colombia continues to advance in implementing environmental transitions, contributing to a more sustainable future. 

 

“Protecting nature ‘should become a strategic interest of countries from the global south,’” –Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad in an interview with Foreign Policy 

 

Colombia continues to make significant efforts in reducing fossil fuel infrastructure through its governance. Specifically, President Gustavo Petro and his administration work towards alternatives to fossil fuel infrastructure, highlighting environmental conservation. His efforts are small steps in the right direction when combating fossil fuel extraction and distribution in Latin America.

 

Bailey Rodriguez | Environmental Correspondent

Hello, I am Bailey Rodriguez, I am an undergraduate studying Geography and Public Affairs at the University of California, Los Angeles. Through my education, I have accrued meaningful knowledge and cultivated a sincere interest in the realms of human, urban, cultural, and environmental geography, providing me with a solid understanding of the interconnectedness between human societies, nature, and the wellbeing of our planet. Throughout my life, I have embraced my passion for human rights, minority representation, and the promotion of equality, equity, inclusivity, and justice. I will leverage my devotion to these values and goals into my work as an intern. I am extremely excited to serve as an Environmental Correspondent for Latina Republic. As a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental causes, I am particularly interested in exploring the complex connection between environmental and human rights, including deforestation, climate change, and wildlife conservation in Latin America. I believe that addressing deforestation, particularly in the Amazon rainforest, is crucial for raising awareness about its ongoing impact on climate change and the livelihoods of communities and wildlife dependent on it. My intention is to conduct extensive research on how climate change significantly affects Latin American communities and why urgent action is needed. I plan on hearing the perspectives of those living in Latin America, especially those directly affected by the Amazon rainforest. Additionally, I plan to advocate and research for political actions aimed at ending deforestation and lessening climate change in Latin America. My goal is to raise awareness about these pressing issues and to explore sustainable and effective solutions through collaboration and community engagement.

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