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)
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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.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Answer: The new rules in Colombia are aimed at helping communities and indigenous groups produce renewable energy.
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.
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.
Answer: Currently, only 1% of Colombia's energy comes from sources like wind and solar power.
Answer: Some companies have decided not to proceed with their wind and solar power projects due to protests from local people.
Answer: Colombia is considered a dangerous country for environmental activists because many activists have been killed in the past few years.
Answer: 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 potential benefits of Colombia using more renewable energy include protecting the environment, helping communities, and making the country better for everyone.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Colombia has made some new to help communities and groups produce renewable energy. Right now, only 1% of the country's energy comes from sources like wind and solar . But with these new rules, community leaders can work with public and private companies to create energy from things like wind , small hydroelectric projects, and biofuels. The goal is to have a more diverse mix of energy sources, because right now, most of Colombia's 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 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 . 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 for people who care about the environment. Many have been killed in the past few . That's why it's so important for Colombia to start using more renewable energy. It's a better 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 government has also looking for companies to build wind farms in the . This shows that they're serious about 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.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
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
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
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π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
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