Science, technology and environmental risks in deepwater oil exploration: a sociological contribution

• Grant number: 13/05930-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology - Other specific Sociologies
• Principal Investigator: Lúcia da Costa Ferreira
• Grantee: José Eduardo Viglio
• Host Institution: Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais (NEPAM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In a context of political and institutional strength around environmental issues, unlike what is expected by environmentalist actors, a process of expansion of oil exploration is observed at world level. In Brazil, the discovery of reserves in ultra-deep pre-salt waters is illustrative of this process. The exploitation of these reserves is seen by these actors as highly contradictory regarding the environmental agenda by posing risks and possible worsening of climate change. However, it is observed that science, technology and innovation (STI) have been one of the main pillars of environmental justification and legitimization to exploration of pre-salt. Taking this scenario, the major interest of this investigation, affiliated to the dialogue between environmental sociology and social studies of science and technology, is to understand the role of science and technology in the discussion and decision-making processes which present environmental controversies and uncertainties. In this sense, this research proposes to investigate more specifically the mobilization and uses of science and technology by different actors in negotiating, conflicts in decision making related to environmental issues in the pre salt. The empirical cut around the pre salt, is justified because it is a scientific-technological wrapped in uncertainty, controversy and broad environmental and social impact.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

JOSÉ EDUARDO VIGLIO; GABRIELA MARQUES DI GIULIO; LÚCIA DA COSTA FERREIRA. NEM TUDO RELUZ NO OURO NEGRO: INCERTEZAS E AMEAÇAS AMBIENTAIS DO PRÉ-SAL BRASILEIRO. Ambiente & Sociedade, v. 20, n. 3, p. 21-38, 2017-09-00. (13/05930-6)

JOSÉ EDUARDO VIGLIO; GABRIELA MARQUES DI GIULIO; FABIANA BARBI; LÚCIA DA COSTA FERREIRA. Narrativas científicas sobre petróleo e mudanças do clima e suas reverberações na política climática brasileira. Sociologias, v. 21, n. 51, p. 124-158, 2019-09-02. (13/05930-6)