In April 2011, the Peruvian legislation authorized importation of GMO products, citing increased food capacity as an adaptive response to climate change, but in June, the Parliament reversed the decisions and declared a moratorium on GMOs for 10 years. This move highlights a number of tensions points: lack of consensus on GMOs, lack of knowledge on biosafety and GMO impacts of biodiversity, and potential growing co-option of Climate Change “adaptation” labels.

FORO writes,

Ecuador has established a number of experimental environmental reforms, including rights for nature and more recently, showcased business opportunities in the environmental industry. Despite criticism and skepticism, Ecuador can help lead alternative policy strategies for climate change; in addition, the country’s deep history of environmental conflict likely informs these measures—as strategies to avoid future social conflict.

FORO writes,

The cost of climate adaptation activities will rise in the next thirty years in such a vulnerable region if South American nations run business as usual and continue to rely on public financing. A framework developed for the World Economic and Social Survey by Fernanda Prada of FORO helps clarify options for financial mechanisms, and highlights the crux: how to internalize externalities as a way to finance adaptation measures, and if that isn’t possible, how to avoid dependence on public financing.

Fernanda Prada of FORO writes,

Policy-making processes in South American politics include deeper participation from civil society actors than are included in conventional international summits, and this phenomenon may help radicalize international policy positions. Bolivia and Peru offer two examples. These alternative processes are likely to have increasing impacts in international negotiations around Climate Change, and could inspire challenges to fundamental negotiating processes themselves.

Gonzalo Alcade of FORO writes,

Brazil is an important player in international negotiations, but it does not seem poised to lead South American countries and is allying more strongly with ascending powers of Brazil, China, India, and South Africa.

Gonzalo Alcade of FORO writes,

In recent international summits, particularly the Cancun Summit in 2010, Bolivia has boldly pushed radical policies and showed promise of leading a potential new international political bloc of developing countries based in South America.

Gonzalo Alcade of FORO writes,

In the face of high-impact threats from Climate Change, many South American countries are implementing concrete anticipatory measures; however, a richer understanding of impacts are needed.

Mario Bazan of FORO writes,

A recent comparison of 233 countries shows the Bolivia and Columbia will be among the twenty most vulnerable countries to climate change in 2015, taking into account socio-economic dependence on nature, impacts of extreme weather, and weak institutional capacity to respond and adapt. GHG emissions have been increasing, and South American countries must find a sustainable model of development.

Maria Bazan of FORO writes,

A combination of simple and low-cost, information technology, community participation, and continuous training has effectively reduced functional illiteracy rates in Cuba, and it holds promise for Latin America, where a coming youth bulge combined with functional illiteracy could radically hurt economic development and participation in democratic governance. Regional cooperation seems to be helping Bolivia, and more coordination could bring huge gains.

FORO writes,

Ecuador has written "Good Living" concepts into its constitution and take a bold step in proposing a 2009 - 2013 plan with objectives and progress indicators. This takes alternate approaches to development one step closer to formalization.

FORO writes,

"[Equador's] “Living Well” perspective seek to change the development paradigm and to