Brazil’s solar capacity expected increase by 358% in 2018
Brazil now has 320 MW of distributed solar generation, a sector which grew 270% in 2016, 304% in 2017, and is expected to increase by 358% in 2018.
South America
Chile adds 10 million acres of parkland in historic first
At a ceremony on Monday, Chilean president Michelle Bachelet officially declared a major expansion of Chile’s parklands, creating two new national parks and protecting vast swaths of the country’s rainforests, grasslands, and other wild terrains.
Peru protects more than 2 million acres of rainforest by creating Yaguas National Park
The Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of Yaguas National Park, established today by the Peruvian government. Located in the northern region of Loreto, Peru’s newest national park will safeguard 2,147,166 acres of rainforest and a vast river system with one of the richest fish faunas in the world.
European Investment Bank invests $150m to fund renewable energy projects in Peru
Expected to be operational in the first half of next year, the two projects will have a combined installed capacity of 312MW.
Brazil announces end to Amazon mega-dam building policy
The Temer government claims the decision is a response to intense resistance from environmentalists and indigenous groups
Millions of Venezuelans join the Mother of All Marches
The Mother of All Marches, also known as the Mother of All Protests, was a day of protests held on April 19, 2017 in Venezuela against the Chavista government of president Nicolás Maduro.
Private land gift drives vast expansion of Chile’s national parks
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and American conservationist Kristine Tompkins on Wednesday pledged to grow Chile’s national park lands by roughly 11 million acres, an area more than four times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
Chile to build massive 450 MW solar thermal power plant
This week, the Chilean government gave the green light to development of SolarReserve’s 450 megawatt (MW) Tamarugal concentrated solar power project.
Lesotho legalizes homosexuality
Before the current Penal Code Act, homosexuality was illegal for men in the Southern African nation as it is in many African nations, often punishable by prison or even death. However, in 2012, Lesotho became one of the first African nations to legalize homosexuality and in 2013 hosted its first Pride event.
Brazilian government launches $1.2 billion Amazon Fund to protect country’s rainforests
The Amazon Fund, made by possible from financial support from Norway and Germany, supports projects aimed at promoting the conservation and sustainable use of the Brazilian Amazon.