Colombia has made some new rules to help communities and indigenous groups produce renewable energy. Right now, only 1% of the country’s energy comes from sources like wind and solar power. But with these new rules, community leaders can work with public and private companies to create energy from things like wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels. The goal is to have a more diverse mix of energy sources, because right now, most of Colombia’s energy comes from big dams that can harm the environment and the people who live nearby.

Since 2019, Colombia has announced more than 50 projects for wind and solar power. These projects would be able to make 2.43 gigawatts of wind energy and 0.1 gigawatts of solar energy. But right now, none of these projects are actually happening. Some companies have said that they’re not going to do their projects anymore because of protests from local people.

Colombia is known as one of the most dangerous countries for people who care about the environment. Many activists have been killed in the past few years. That’s why it’s so important for Colombia to start using more renewable energy. It’s a better choice for the environment, and it can help give power to communities that have been left out. Colombia also wants to reduce how much it relies on fossil fuels.

The Colombian government has also started looking for companies to build wind farms in the ocean. This shows that they’re serious about using more renewable energy. Right now, more than 70% of Colombia’s power comes from big dams. But if they start using more renewable energy, they can protect the environment, help communities, and make the country better for everyone.

Original news source: Renewable energy drive for indigenous groups in Colombia (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to write a summary of the article in 3-4 sentences. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Ask each pair to discuss and share their opinions on the following question: “Do you think Colombia’s new rules on renewable energy will be effective in achieving their goals? Why or why not?” Afterward, conduct a class poll by asking each pair to vote either “yes” or “no” and tally up the results.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down 5-10 vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them in a hat or bowl. Divide the class into two teams. One player from each team will take turns drawing a word from the hat and trying to illustrate it on the board without using any words or letters. The team members must guess the word within a time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Ask each group to list down the pros and cons of Colombia’s reliance on big dams for energy, as well as the potential benefits and drawbacks of transitioning to more renewable energy sources. Afterward, have each group share their lists with the class and facilitate a discussion on the topic.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask each student to individually write down their predictions for the future of renewable energy in Colombia based on the information from the article. They can predict the potential challenges, advancements, and impacts on communities and the environment. Afterward, ask a few students to share their predictions with the class and discuss the likelihood of each scenario.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are the new rules in Colombia aimed at doing?
2. Why is it important for Colombia to use more renewable energy?
3. What are some examples of renewable energy sources that communities can now create with the help of public and private companies?
4. How much of Colombia’s current energy comes from wind and solar power?
5. Why have some companies decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects?
6. Why is Colombia considered a dangerous country for environmental activists?
7. What is the Colombian government doing to show its commitment to using more renewable energy?
8. What are the potential benefits of Colombia using more renewable energy?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Colombia has made some new (1)______ to help communities and (2)______ groups produce renewable energy. Right now, only 1% of the country’s energy comes from sources like wind and solar (3)______. But with these new rules, community leaders can work with public and private companies to create energy from things like wind (4)______, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels. The goal is to have a more diverse mix of energy sources, because right now, most of Colombia’s (5)______ (6)______ from big dams that can harm the environment and the people who live nearby.

Since 2019, Colombia has announced more than 50 projects for wind and (7)______ power. These projects would be able to make 2.43 gigawatts of wind energy and 0.1 gigawatts of solar energy. But right now, none of these projects are actually (8)______. Some companies have said that they’re not going to do their projects anymore because of protests from local people.

Colombia is known as one of the most dangerous (9)______ for people who care about the environment. Many (10)______ have been killed in the past few (11)______. That’s why it’s so important for Colombia to start using more renewable energy. It’s a better (12)______ for the environment, and it can help give power to communities that have been left out. Colombia also wants to reduce how much it relies on fossil fuels.

The (13)______ government has also (14)______ looking for companies to build wind farms in the (15)______. This shows that they’re serious about (16)______ more renewable energy. Right now, more than 70% of Colombia’s power comes from big dams. But if they start using more renewable energy, they can protect the environment, help communities, and make the country better for everyone.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is renewable energy and why is it important?
2. How do you think wind farms and small hydroelectric projects can benefit communities?
3. Do you think it’s a good idea for Colombia to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if a wind farm or solar power project was planned in your community? Why?
5. Why do you think some companies have decided not to proceed with their renewable energy projects in Colombia?
6. What are some of the risks associated with relying on big dams for energy production?
7. Do you think it’s important for Colombia to protect the environment? Why or why not?
8. How can using more renewable energy help give power to communities that have been left out?
9. What do you think can be done to make Colombia a safer place for environmental activists?
10. How do you think building wind farms in the ocean can benefit Colombia?
11. Do you think it’s possible for Colombia to achieve a more diverse mix of energy sources? Why or why not?
12. What are some of the challenges that Colombia may face in transitioning to more renewable energy?
13. Why do you think Colombia has relied so heavily on big dams for energy production in the past?
14. What are some of the potential benefits of using more renewable energy in Colombia?
15. How do you think using more renewable energy can make the country better for everyone?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. indigenous
2. renewable
3. diverse
4. hydroelectric
5. biofuels
6. dams
7. gigawatts
8. protests
9. activists
10. fossil fuels
11. relies
12. serious
13. protect
14. communities
15. better

Meanings:
(A) Structures built across rivers to hold back water
(B) Public expressions of disagreement or disapproval
(C) Keep safe from harm or damage
(D) Improved or more desirable than before
(E) Fuels made from living things or their waste
(F) A unit for measuring large amounts of power
(G) Having a variety of different types
(H) Depends on or uses something
(I) People who work hard to make changes, especially in society or politics
(J) Groups of people living in the same area or having a particular characteristic in common
(K) Very committed or determined
(L) People who are native to a particular place
(M) Energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas that come from ancient living things
(N) Able to be used again or replaced naturally
(O) Related to producing electricity by using the power of flowing water
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What percentage of Colombia’s current energy comes from renewable sources?
(a) 1%
(b) 10%
(c) 50%
(d) 90%

2. What are some examples of renewable energy sources mentioned in the article?
(a) Coal mines, oil refineries, and nuclear power plants
(b) Wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels
(c) Gas stations, solar panels, and geothermal energy
(d) Oil rigs, wind turbines, and hydroelectric dams

3. Why does Colombia want to have a more diverse mix of energy sources?
(a) Because renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuels
(b) Because other countries are doing it, so Colombia wants to follow the trend
(c) Because the government wants to make more money by selling renewable energy
(d) Because the current energy sources harm the environment and nearby communities

4. Why have some companies decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects in Colombia?
(a) Because of protests from local people
(b) Because the government banned these projects
(c) Because the companies ran out of money
(d) Because the technology for wind and solar power is not advanced enough

5. Why is it important for Colombia to start using more renewable energy?
(a) It’s a way for the government to control the energy market
(b) It will make Colombia a more popular tourist destination
(c) It will make the country more dependent on fossil fuels
(d) It’s better for the environment and can help protect it

6. What is one reason why Colombia is considered dangerous for environmental activists?
(a) There are frequent natural disasters in Colombia
(b) The government does not support environmental causes
(c) Many activists have been killed in the past few years
(d) The country has a high crime rate in general

7. What is the Colombian government doing to encourage the use of renewable energy?
(a) Banning the use of fossil fuels completely
(b) Providing subsidies to companies that invest in renewable energy
(c) Looking for companies to build wind farms in the ocean
(d) Building more big dams to increase energy production

8. What percentage of Colombia’s current power comes from big dams?
(a) Less than 10%
(b) More than 70%
(c) Exactly 50%
(d) Around 30%

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Colombia has implemented new rules to hinder the production of renewable energy by communities and indigenous groups.
2. Colombia is considered one of the most dangerous countries for environmental activists, with many having been killed in recent years.
3. Decreasing the use of renewable energy in Colombia is crucial for harming the environment, disempowering marginalized communities, and increasing reliance on fossil fuels.
4. Currently, 99% of Colombia’s energy is generated from wind and solar power.
5. The aim is to have a more diverse mix of energy sources, as the majority of Colombia’s energy currently comes from large dams that can harm the environment and nearby communities.
6. The new rules allow community leaders to collaborate with public and private companies to create energy from sources like wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels.
7. However, all of these projects have begun due to protests from local communities, causing some companies to abandon their plans.
8. Since 2019, Colombia has announced over 50 projects for wind and solar power, capable of producing 2.43 gigawatts of wind energy and 0.1 gigawatts of solar energy.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What are the new rules in Colombia designed to help communities and indigenous groups do?
2. Why is it important for Colombia to use more renewable energy?
3. What are some of the renewable energy projects that have been announced in Colombia?
4. Why have some companies decided not to go ahead with their renewable energy projects in Colombia?
5. What is the Colombian government doing to encourage the use of renewable energy?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The new rules in Colombia are aimed at helping communities and indigenous groups produce renewable energy.
Answer: The new rules in Colombia are aimed at helping communities and indigenous groups produce renewable energy.

2. It is important for Colombia to use more renewable energy because it is a better choice for the environment and can help give power to communities that have been left out. Additionally, Colombia wants to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Answer: It is important for Colombia to use more renewable energy because it is better for the environment and can provide power to marginalized communities. Colombia also wants to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

3. Some examples of renewable energy sources that communities can now create with the help of public and private companies are wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels.
Answer: Some examples of renewable energy sources that communities can now create with the help of public and private companies are wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels.

4. Currently, only 1% of Colombia’s energy comes from sources like wind and solar power.
Answer: Currently, only 1% of Colombia’s energy comes from sources like wind and solar power.

5. Some companies have decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects due to protests from local people.
Answer: Some companies have decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects due to protests from local people.

6. Colombia is considered a dangerous country for environmental activists because many activists have been killed in the past few years.
Answer: Colombia is considered a dangerous country for environmental activists because many activists have been killed in the past few years.

7. The Colombian government is looking for companies to build wind farms in the ocean to show its commitment to using more renewable energy.
Answer: The Colombian government is looking for companies to build wind farms in the ocean to show its commitment to using more renewable energy.

8. The potential benefits of Colombia using more renewable energy include protecting the environment, helping communities, and making the country better for everyone.
Answer: The potential benefits of Colombia using more renewable energy include protecting the environment, helping communities, and making the country better for everyone.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) rules
(2) indigenous
(3) power
(4) farms
(5) energy
(6) comes
(7) solar
(8) happening
(9) countries
(10) activists
(11) years
(12) choice
(13) Colombian
(14) started
(15) ocean
(16) using
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. indigenous
Answer: (L) People who are native to a particular place

2. renewable
Answer: (N) Able to be used again or replaced naturally

3. diverse
Answer: (G) Having a variety of different types

4. hydroelectric
Answer: (O) Related to producing electricity by using the power of flowing water

5. biofuels
Answer: (E) Fuels made from living things or their waste

6. dams
Answer: (A) Structures built across rivers to hold back water

7. gigawatts
Answer: (F) A unit for measuring large amounts of power

8. protests
Answer: (B) Public expressions of disagreement or disapproval

9. activists
Answer: (I) People who work hard to make changes, especially in society or politics

10. fossil fuels
Answer: (M) Energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas that come from ancient living things

11. relies
Answer: (H) Depends on or uses something

12. serious
Answer: (K) Very committed or determined

13. protect
Answer: (C) Keep safe from harm or damage

14. communities
Answer: (J) Groups of people living in the same area or having a particular characteristic in common

15. better
Answer: (D) Improved or more desirable than before
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What percentage of Colombia’s current energy comes from renewable sources?
Answer: (a) 1%

2. What are some examples of renewable energy sources mentioned in the article?
Answer: (b) Wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels

3. Why does Colombia want to have a more diverse mix of energy sources?
Answer: (d) Because the current energy sources harm the environment and nearby communities

4. Why have some companies decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects in Colombia?
Answer: (a) Because of protests from local people

5. Why is it important for Colombia to start using more renewable energy?
Answer: (d) It’s better for the environment and can help protect it

6. What is one reason why Colombia is considered dangerous for environmental activists?
Answer: (c) Many activists have been killed in the past few years

7. What is the Colombian government doing to encourage the use of renewable energy?
Answer: (c) Looking for companies to build wind farms in the ocean

8. What percentage of Colombia’s current power comes from big dams?
Answer: (b) More than 70%
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Colombia has implemented new rules to hinder the production of renewable energy by communities and indigenous groups. (Answer: False)
2. Colombia is considered one of the most dangerous countries for environmental activists, with many having been killed in recent years. (Answer: True)
3. Decreasing the use of renewable energy in Colombia is crucial for harming the environment, disempowering marginalized communities, and increasing reliance on fossil fuels. (Answer: False)
4. Currently, 99% of Colombia’s energy is generated from wind and solar power. (Answer: False)
5. The aim is to have a more diverse mix of energy sources, as the majority of Colombia’s energy currently comes from large dams that can harm the environment and nearby communities. (Answer: True)
6. The new rules allow community leaders to collaborate with public and private companies to create energy from sources like wind farms, small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels. (Answer: True)
7. However, all of these projects have begun due to protests from local communities, causing some companies to abandon their plans. (Answer: False)
8. Since 2019, Colombia has announced over 50 projects for wind and solar power, capable of producing 2.43 gigawatts of wind energy and 0.1 gigawatts of solar energy. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧