Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-17 |
| Journal | Religación |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 2024 |
Abstract
fossil fuels. This study critically examines lithium extraction policies in Latin America, a region vital for this
strategic mineral. It contextualizes the issue within global capitalist consumption patterns that have depleted
natural resources in the Global South. Despite technological progress, the shift to renewable energy remains
tied to structural inequalities and geopolitical power dynamics. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Argentina,
Bolivia, and Chile in 2024, the research highlights the environmental, social, and sustainability challenges of
lithium extraction. Findings show severe environmental impacts, such as water depletion and biodiversity loss,
and social conflicts exacerbated by mining. The study contrasts the approaches of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile
in managing lithium resources, underscoring the geopolitical tensions between national control and foreign
investment. While Chile advances with foreign partnerships, Bolivia stresses state control, and Argentina faces
fragmented provincial regulations. The article concludes that a just energy transition requires addressing glo-
bal inequalities and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and costs. It advocates for structural transfor
-
mations towards sustainable and inclusive development models that respect ecological limits and social justice.
Keywords: Energy Transition; Lithium; Latin America; Extractivism; Renewable Energy.
Sustainable Development Goals
Cite this
- Standard
- Harvard
- Apa
- Vancouver
- BibTeX
- RIS
In: Religación, 2024, p. 1-17.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A Just energy Transition: Between Global Demands and local challenges. A look at lithium extraction policies in Latin America
AU - Lastra Bravo, Javier Alfonso
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - The transition to sustainable energy is crucial for addressing the global climate crisis and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This study critically examines lithium extraction policies in Latin America, a region vital for this strategic mineral. It contextualizes the issue within global capitalist consumption patterns that have depleted natural resources in the Global South. Despite technological progress, the shift to renewable energy remains tied to structural inequalities and geopolitical power dynamics. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile in 2024, the research highlights the environmental, social, and sustainability challenges of lithium extraction. Findings show severe environmental impacts, such as water depletion and biodiversity loss, and social conflicts exacerbated by mining. The study contrasts the approaches of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile in managing lithium resources, underscoring the geopolitical tensions between national control and foreign investment. While Chile advances with foreign partnerships, Bolivia stresses state control, and Argentina faces fragmented provincial regulations. The article concludes that a just energy transition requires addressing glo-bal inequalities and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and costs. It advocates for structural transfor-mations towards sustainable and inclusive development models that respect ecological limits and social justice.Keywords: Energy Transition; Lithium; Latin America; Extractivism; Renewable Energy.
AB - The transition to sustainable energy is crucial for addressing the global climate crisis and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. This study critically examines lithium extraction policies in Latin America, a region vital for this strategic mineral. It contextualizes the issue within global capitalist consumption patterns that have depleted natural resources in the Global South. Despite technological progress, the shift to renewable energy remains tied to structural inequalities and geopolitical power dynamics. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile in 2024, the research highlights the environmental, social, and sustainability challenges of lithium extraction. Findings show severe environmental impacts, such as water depletion and biodiversity loss, and social conflicts exacerbated by mining. The study contrasts the approaches of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile in managing lithium resources, underscoring the geopolitical tensions between national control and foreign investment. While Chile advances with foreign partnerships, Bolivia stresses state control, and Argentina faces fragmented provincial regulations. The article concludes that a just energy transition requires addressing glo-bal inequalities and ensuring equitable distribution of benefits and costs. It advocates for structural transfor-mations towards sustainable and inclusive development models that respect ecological limits and social justice.Keywords: Energy Transition; Lithium; Latin America; Extractivism; Renewable Energy.
U2 - 10.46652/rgn.v9i42.128
DO - 10.46652/rgn.v9i42.128
M3 - Article
SP - 1
EP - 17
JO - Religación
JF - Religación
SN - 2477-9083
ER -