FAQ · Environment & Climate 31

The northernmost national park of mainland South America is Bahía Portete – Kaurrele National Natural Park. It is located on the Caribbean coast of the La Guajira peninsula in Uribia, between Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas. This park was established on December 20, 2014, making it the most recently designated national park in the country. It was created to protect the marine and littoral ecosystems of the La Guajira peninsula. The area hosts a high number of both marine and terrestrial species.

Colombia is home to various mammal species with different levels of conservation needs. Among the mammals recorded in the country, four are classified as critically endangered and eight are endangered. Additionally, twenty-seven species are considered vulnerable while six are near threatened. One of the species listed for Colombia is even considered to be extinct. These statuses are assessed using criteria from the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Northwestern Colombia is an area of great diversity in wildlife. One example of species divergence in this region involves the cotton-top tamarin and the white-footed tamarin. These two species are principally separated by the Atrato River. Additionally, the cichlid known as Andinoacara biseriatus can be found in this river. The geographic barriers in this area have influenced how many species evolved over time.

The flora of Colombia is characterized by over 32,000 species of green plants. The national flower is the orchid Cattleya trianae, which was selected as a national symbol for being one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. The national tree is the Quindío wax palm, which is the tallest monocot in the world and the only palm that grows at such high altitudes in the country. Colombia holds the largest number of endemic species worldwide, with about 10% of the world's species living there. The wide diversity of habitats, including the Andes and rainforest lowlands, helps determine the distribution of these species.

Andia Chaves Fonnegra is a Colombian marine biologist recognized for her research on the marine sponge Cliona delitrix. Her work focuses on how this organism grows between the calcium carbonate that forms coral reef skeletons. Through an excavating action, the sponge gradually deteriorates the coral. In the Caribbean Sea, the development of this sponge has accelerated in recent years. This process results in the gradual erosion of corals and alters the ecosystem.

Deforestation in Colombia primarily targets primary rainforests and is driven by several factors. These include logging for timber, small-scale agricultural ranching, mining, and the development of energy resources and infrastructure. Other contributors include cocaine production, farming, and the Plan Pacifico, which seeks to exploit rainforests for resource extraction and economic development. This loss of forest has a profound ecological impact because Colombia is the second most biologically diverse country on Earth. The nation holds 10% of the world's species, making the protection of these areas vital.

Agriculture is a major contributor to the country's environmental impact. It accounts for 55% of Colombia's greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions stem mostly from deforestation, illegal agriculture, and land grabbing. Over-extensive cattle ranching is also a primary cause of these emissions. This sector includes the production of coffee, avocado, palm oil, and various other crops.

Colombia's renewable electricity generation capacity was 14.3 GW as of 2023. Hydropower is a very important national energy source, accounting for 70 percent of the country's power generation. Solar power is growing fast and accounted for about 5% of the renewable capacity in 2023. The country has significant wind and solar resources that remain largely unexploited. Colombia has set targets for diversifying its energy mix by incorporating wind, solar, and geothermal resources.

Colombia is well-endowed with various minerals and energy resources. The country holds the largest coal reserves in Latin America and has significant hydroelectric potential. It is also the world's largest producer of emeralds and possesses amounts of gold, silver, platinum, and nickel. In terms of petroleum, Colombia has been a net oil exporter since 1986. These resources play a major role in the country's economic landscape.

Waste management and recycling in Colombia involve organized associations of recyclers. Nohra Padilla, a Goldman Environmental Prize winner, has played a leading role in these efforts. She co-founded the Association of Recyclers of Bogotá to improve conditions for waste pickers. There is also a National Association of Recyclers in Colombia which includes about 12,000 members. In Bogotá, a public payment system was introduced in 2013 to provide recyclers with income and social security.

Colombia is a country rich in natural resources and relies heavily on energy and mining exports. Among its main exports are various goods including plastics. The nation also exports items such as mineral fuels, oils, and agricultural products. These exports are sent to principal trading partners like the United States, China, and the European Union. Non-traditional exports have helped boost the growth of Colombian foreign sales and destination diversification.

Several important rivers in Colombia are highly contaminated due to the direct discharge of untreated effluents, pathogens, and toxic substances. These pollutants primarily come from the agricultural, industrial, and mining sectors. Gold mining activities specifically impact water bodies because they require high volumes of water and often discharge untreated waters and tailings directly into waterways. Additionally, crude oil spills caused by sabotage from leftist guerrilla squads contribute to the pollution. Informal mining operations further add to the problem by discharging sediment, organic matter, metals, and fuels into the rivers.

The soil in this region is acidic and contains high levels of sodium and potassium. It is a coarse-grained soil with high permeability that favors the formation of groundwater in aquifers. Due to the soil composition and low temperatures, there is a low amount of humus and poor decomposition of organic matter. These factors make the soil largely unsuitable for agriculture. Additionally, Sphagnum moss covers wide areas and increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients.

The 2024 South American wildfires were a mega colossal series of fires that impacted Colombia and several neighboring countries. These wildfires were primarily caused by anthropogenic climate change and the consequences of the 2023–2024 South American drought. The drought resulted from lighter seasonal rainfall in the Amazon and the warming of northern tropical Atlantic Ocean waters and the Equatorial Pacific. Increased temperatures due to anthropogenic global warming also contributed to more severe climate phenomena. This combination of high temperatures and decreased rainfall caused widespread evaporation of moisture from soil and plants, which exacerbated the fire conditions.

Colombia has experienced significant seismic activity, including a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that was the strongest in the country in the last decade. This event was the largest since the 1979 Tumaco earthquake and was caused by a rupture within the subducting Nazca plate. Shaking from such events can be felt in many departmental capitals and even in neighboring countries like Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Large earthquakes can be followed by more than 100 aftershocks. These seismic events can cause intense shaking that forces evacuations in various cities.

During the Venezuelan invierno, the rainy season, the Llanos would flood up to a meter deep. This seasonal flooding caused Morillo's forces to evacuate the area for several months. Bolívar used this timing to move his troops when no one anticipated such activity. However, his soldiers had to wade through waist-deep, malarial water for many days. This difficult journey through the flood-swept plains preceded their climb into the Andes mountains.

Between November 2023 and January 2024, Colombia experienced six droughts and 323 wildfires. These conditions caused water scarcity in sixty-nine municipalities and directly affected roughly 45,000 people. The shortages led to crop failures and lowered dairy production across the country. Additionally, shallow rivers disrupted fishing communities and agriculture-based supply chains by inhibiting river transport. Many households also suffered income losses due to these El Niño-influenced climate impacts.

Snow can be found in certain parts of Colombia depending on the altitude. The country features a mountain climate where the environment is determined by elevation. Above 4,000 meters, temperatures drop below freezing. This specific area has a glacial climate which is a zone of permanent snow and ice. Most of the country lies in warmer altitudinal zones, but these high-altitude regions do experience snow.

Colombia possesses the second-highest biodiversity in the world. As of 2021, approximately 63,000 species are registered in the country, with 14% being endemic. The nation holds the first position globally for orchids and birds, and the second position for plants, amphibians, butterflies, and freshwater fish. It also ranks third for palm trees and reptiles, while holding the sixth position in mammalian biodiversity. To help preserve these resources, the country hosts 59 nationally designated protected areas.

The governmental organization Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia manages the official list of invasive species through several resolutions. Some of the species officially declared as invasive include the tiger mosquito, the South American fruit fly, and the giant African snail. Other examples are the Argentine ant, the red swamp crayfish, and the Asian tiger shrimp. This list is updated through various resolutions ranging from 2008 to 2022. Additional species from more recent sources are also included in these official records.

The black market of animal trafficking is considered the second biggest threat to biodiversity in Colombia. This illegal enterprise involves the smuggling of animals such as lizards, monkeys, and parrots. In the San Lucas Andean mountain ranges, the absence of government protection has allowed deforestation and coca cultivation to cause biodiversity loss. Additionally, drug lords have been known to keep private zoos with endangered species. While there is an animal trafficking policy involving jail time, no one has served such a sentence.

The Muisca people obtained most of their meat through hunting. This activity was typically performed by Muisca men. In addition to hunting, they also relied on fishing in the many rivers and lakes of the Altiplano. They especially utilized lakes such as Fúquene and Tota for these resources. They also practiced the domestication of guinea pigs starting in the Herrera Period.

Historically, the Muisca people obtained much of their food through hunting and fishing. The many rivers and lakes located on the Altiplano provided these rich resources. In particular, the lakes of Fúquene and Tota were known for their fish. Fishing was an activity traditionally performed by Muisca men. This provided a vital source of meat for their community.

Conservation International Colombia works on various initiatives to protect the country's diverse environments. The programme focuses on watershed conservation and restoration in the Bogotá Region and sustainable-landscape initiatives in the Amazon and Andes-Amazon transition. They also manage marine and coastal conservation activities along the Pacific coast, including shark conservation and the retrieval of abandoned fishing gear. To ensure long-term protection, they participate in conservation finance mechanisms like Herencia Colombia to support the protected areas system. These efforts include community engagement and ecological restoration projects across different regions.

Colombia is a mega-diverse country that faces several significant environmental issues. Deforestation and soil erosion are major concerns across the landscape. The cultivation of illicit drug crops in national natural reserves by mafias causes damage to soil and water quality. Additionally, pollution occurs in major bodies of water due to corporate activities and unregulated policies. Other problems include air pollution from vehicle emissions and crude oil spills in local rivers. Natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and periodic droughts also impact the environment.

Bolívar Park is a significant urban park located in the Villanueva neighborhood of downtown Medellín. Inaugurated in 1892, this space is considered a symbol of the city and serves as a main meeting place for different generations. The park features varied landscaping with native trees and an equestrian statue in its center. Visitors can enjoy cultural events such as the traditional Sunday open-air concerts or the monthly San Alejo market. It is also surrounded by important cultural sites like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín and the Lido Theater.

The Varadero coral reef is a shallow water reef located in the Bay of Cartagena. It is notable for maintaining high coral cover and diversity despite poor water quality and high sediment loads from the Canal del Dique. However, its persistence is currently threatened by a project to modernize the port of Cartagena. This project involves dredging a new shipping lane directly through the reef. Additionally, the regular maintenance of this channel may cause the water quality in the Bay to deteriorate further.

The Sierra Nevada del Cocuy Chita or Guican National Natural Park contains the largest glacial mass in Colombia. This area is located within the Cordillera Oriental mountain range of the Andes. Currently, the region features 18 ice-covered peaks along with glacial lakes and waterfalls. This protected national park is situated between the jurisdictions of Boyacá and Arauca. The meltwater from this glacier system is essential as it feeds several major rivers.

Historically, local populations have been tightly entwined with the wetlands by managing waterways to suit their needs. The Zenú culture developed in the area around 1000 BC and modified the landscape through the construction of canals. They combined water flow control with slash-and-burn agriculture to support large populations. In more recent times, wetlands were drained and dammed to facilitate agricultural output. Today, efforts are being made to restore these areas through concepts like Agroecosistemas Biodiversos Familiares. These farms use terrace cultivation to contribute to ecological restoration and climate resilience.

The Guajira region is currently undergoing accelerated desertification. This process involves the disappearance of forests, land, and water sources. The increase in coal production is the primary cause of this environmental change. Mining and natural exploitation have led to these significant environmental consequences in the area.

Recycling efforts in Colombia involve organized associations such as the Association of Recyclers of Bogotá and the National Association of Recyclers in Colombia. These organizations represent thousands of members who work in the waste management sector. Nohra Padilla is a prominent environmentalist who has held leading positions in these associations. She co-founded the Asociación de Recicladores de Bogotá in 1990 to improve conditions for waste pickers. In Bogotá, a public payment system was introduced in 2013 to provide recyclers with social security and medical aid.