This is the most striking image I took in June this year during my doctoral fieldwork in Colombia and shows precisely why rich nations at #COP29 must offer developing countries at least $1 trillion a year in climate finance. 🧵
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
With Colombia’s hydroelectric plants normally generating around 70% of electricity, the drought precipitated a national energy crisis with water rationing and also thermoelectric plants running on coal and gas having to drastically ramp up their output to reduce the risk of power cuts. /3
For me, the photo of the stranded blue and white boat with the Colombian flag on it symbolizes how vulnerable the country is to worsening climate impacts and the precariousness of its power system due to its dependence on hydropower. /4
As the world embraces an energy transition, the lopsided boat also represents the fragility of the Colombian economy, which relies on the fossil fuel and mining sector for around 7 percent of GDP and over half a million formal jobs /5
As the climate crisis worsens and the need to shift away from FFs becomes more urgent, it is unconscionable that rich nations continue to fail to provide the necessary finance to support developing nations like Colombia to adapt to climate impacts and to carry out a just energy transition. / END
Comments