| |
|
| Submitter's Name |
Marliz Arteaga |
| Session Name |
Poster Session: Impact of changing drivers on water resources |
| Poster Number |
24 |
| |
| Author(s) |
Marliz Arteaga Gomez Garcia , Researcher in the Amazon Dams Program - TCD Program/Center for Latin American Studies, UF. (Presenting Author) |
| |
Simone Athayde,
Researcher in the Amazon Dams Program - TCD Program/Center for Latin American Studies, UF. |
| |
Mason Mathews, Researcher in the Amazon Dams Program - TCD Program/Center for Latin American Studies, UF. |
| |
|
| |
Hydroelectricity development in the Amazon: clean energy option in a climate change scenario? |
| |
|
| |
In the Amazon, large dams have been built or are planned along the Amazon River and its tributaries affecting water quality, aquatic wildlife and socioeconomic systems bringing enormous human and environmental costs. This paper presents a review and an analysis of perspectives as well as approaches regarding potential climate change effects related to hydroelectric development in the Amazon. Methods included literature review and analysis of research collaboration using social network analysis of peer-reviewed publications on the intersections between climate change and hydroelectricity development in the Amazon. Results indicate that hydrodams are often framed as clean energy, given the lower greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions compared to thermal energy sources (e.g. coal, oil, and natural gas). However, research indicates that GHG emissions from hydroelectric dams may actually be greater than fossil-fuel plants in the first years of operation, especially CH4 (methane) emissions, which is more pollutant than CO2. Additionally, the indirect impacts of hydroelectric dam construction on land-use and land-cover change from deforestation and urbanization are poorly understood. There are contradictory perspectives and lack of consensus about framing hydropower as clean energy between scientists and society. We conclude that more research is needed in the Amazon, in order to identify the direct and especially indirect effects of dam construction in a climate change scenario. |
| |