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Apr 22, 2024 • 4 min read

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Columbian protests
Solar Energy Output

Columbian protests:

Major cities in Colombia have seem sites significant protests against President Gustavo Petro, driven by his 64% disapproval rate. These demonstrations, spearheaded by opposition groups, criticize Petro’s domestic policies and his management of foreign affairs, particularly after his controversial threat to sever diplomatic relations with Israel. This international incident escalated when Israel described Petro as a disgrace following his threat, which was in response to Israel's non-compliance with a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution.
Petro has defended his stance on Colombia’s foreign policy, asserting its independence from U.S. influence and vocally condemning what he terms a genocide in Palestine by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Colombia operates under a presidential representative democratic republic. This system means that while the President of Colombia serves as both the head of state and the head of government, the country's governance also relies on a multi-party system. The executive power is exercised by the government, whereas legislative power is vested in both the government and the bicameral Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Since its independence from Spain in 1810, Colombia has experienced a turbulent history that includes internal conflicts such as the Thousand Days War and La Violencia, a ten-year civil war between the Liberal and Conservative parties. These conflicts have significantly shaped the political landscape of the country. Additionally, Colombia's modern political history includes its struggle against and negotiations with various guerrilla groups, most notably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which have impacted its domestic and international policy strategies.
Colombia's political landscape is diverse, with a range of parties representing both conservative and liberal ideologies. Historically, two major parties dominated: the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party, each representing the conservative and liberal wings of politics, respectively. However, in recent years, the political scene has become more complex with the emergence of new parties and movements, including more centrist and left-leaning groups. The current president, Gustavo Petro, comes from a more progressive, left-leaning background, advocating for social and economic reforms that are typically associated with liberal or leftist ideologies. His government marks a shift from the traditionally conservative administrations that have often been in power in Colombia.

Solar Energy Output:

Recent data from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) shows a significant surge in solar energy capacity in the United States, with a noticeable increase in early 2024. In January, solar energy contributed 2,527 megawatts (MW), accounting for 87.3% of all new energy capacity added, significantly raising the total renewable capacity, including wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal to 376.33 gigawatts (GW). This represents 29.17% of the total national generating capacity, nearly double that of coal's 207.15 GW.
The environmental benefits of this shift are substantial, as solar energy generates far less pollution compared to coal and other non-renewable resources. Even though the production of solar panels involves some environmental impact, it is minimal when compared to the emissions from coal and natural gas. This transition supports the growing narrative against the claims of some industry lobbyists who argue that renewable energy cannot fully replace fossil fuels.
Further supporting this trend, FERC's February 2024 report highlighted that solar power continued to dominate new electrical generating capacity, contributing 1,043 MW or 83.64% of all new capacity for the sixth consecutive month. This included contributions from wind projects like the 200 MW Horizon Hill Wind Project in Oklahoma. Altogether, in the first two months of 2024, solar and wind accounted for nearly 99% of new generating capacity, with solar alone representing 78.5% of new installations.

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