The human rights impact of hydro-electric dams in Brazil

What is it about?

Hydro-electric dams are associated with an array of socio-environmental problems and human rights violations during the construction process and after they start operating. Because hydropower is key for Brazil's search for alternative energy those affected by dams have limited opportunities to challenge these projects. I show how anti-dam activists have instead appealed to international human and indigenous rights frameworks to address the negative aspects of Brazil's development agenda.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Although there is much attention to the role of natural resources (such as oil, gas and minerals) in Latin America, there is as yet little attention to renewable energy projects. Renewable energy is purportedly environmentally friendly and can contribute to combating climate change but my article shows that the socio-environmental impact is in fact considerable. Research on natural resources in Latin America have also rarely addressed the human implications. I show why using a human rights perspective allows for better explanations of where anti-dam movement strategies succeed and fail.