Changing how we build hydropower infrastructure for the common good: lessons from the Brazilian Amazon

Emilio Federico Moran

doi:10.15448/1984-7289.2020.1.34643

Autores/as

Emilio Federico Moran Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5153-545X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2020.1.34643

Palabras clave:

Hidroenergia, Represas. Evaluaciones de impacto social. Evaluaciones de impacto ambiental. Deflorestacion. Restablecimiento.

Resumen

Proyectos de infraestructura, como carreteras e hidroeléctricas, han sido usados para promover el desarrollo económico en Brasil y en la Amazonia. Las hidroeléctricas, en particular, se enfocan en la producción de energía a partir de fuentes hídricas. Desafortunadamente, estas se han asociado a daños sociales y ambientales que resultan de la construcción de represas. En la Amazonia, estos daños son más serios debido a la diversidad biológica y cultural de la región. Este estudio se basa en investigaciones llevadas a cabo a lo largo de cinco años por un equipo interdisciplinar que usó la encuesta social y la etnografía, ambos métodos tanto cuantitativa, como cualitativamente. Esta historia se repite con frecuencia con la construcción de represas y nos parece necesario preguntarnos qué tipo de cambios serían necesarios para que los proyectos de desarrollo de hidroeléctricas pudieran tener resultados sociales y ambientales positivos. Este trabajo explora las causas de los problemas asociados a la construcción de represas y sugiere soluciones desde el momento en que se aprueba su construcción, para el proceso de construcción de las mismas y para su operación, con el objetivo de que pudieran resultar en mejores condiciones para la sociedad.

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Biografía del autor/a

Emilio Federico Moran, Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI

John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor, Center for Global Change and Earth Observations and Dept. of Geography, Michigan State University (MSU), East Lansing, MI, USA.

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