The South American country of Chile likes to present itself as a worldwide leader on climate change. Nearly 22 percent of Chile’s electricity comes from solar and wind energy production centers. That is a higher percentage than the United States with 13 percent. The world average is 10 percent. In 2008, Chile was also one of the first countries to declare a target for renewable energy. However, imported natural gas, a fossil fuel like coal and oil, has continued because of a favorable supply deal won from the government. Marcelo Mena is a former environment minister for Chile. He leads Global Methane Hub. The nonprofit group aims to reduce methane emissions around the world. Mena said natural gas is basically methane. ”They’re actually hindering the power that we can deliver from renewable energy,” Mena told the Associated Press. “It’s been more of an opposition towards 100 percent renewable target.” Mena said renewable energy is being pushed out by fossil fuels in northern Chile. “At the same time, in the south of Chile, there is a big lack of natural gas for heating and people are heating themselves with wood and choking on it,” said Mena.
