The article emphasizes the energy transition as a multifaceted issue requiring a comprehensive understanding of the global capitalist system and the inequalities it perpetuates. It describes the ongoing ecological emergency as part of a broader crisis affecting the neoliberal, fossil-based economy. The push toward a greener capitalism aims to address climate change but often sidesteps crucial socio-environmental transformations and the patterns of consumption and production.
Latin America, while contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, faces significant extractive pressures that perpetuate its dependency and socio-environmental devastation. The region’s resources are exploited for the benefit of larger powers, further entrenching neocolonial dynamics. Although there are opportunities related to “green” financing, the risks of foreign control and lack of technological advancement remain significant concerns.
The authors call for a shift in the debate to focus on developing long-term national projects that prioritize strategic autonomy and social justice, rather than merely capitalizing on foreign demand. Addressing both vulnerabilities and opportunities in this transition is crucial for achieving integrated and sovereign energy solutions.
