Latin America could lead the way on green power 

By Ana Lankes

For centuries Latin America has been dogged by the resource curse. Its abundant natural resources have never translated into a lasting, society-wide ascent into broader prosperity. Many are hoping this will change with the global transition to clean energy. The region holds more than half the world’s lithium, used in electric-vehicle batteries; produces over a third of its copper, for electrical wiring; and churns out more than half its silver, crucial for solar panels. It is also home to around half of the world’s biodiversity and a quarter of its forests. In the coming years, regional leaders hope that Latin America can take off as a green power.