Miracle or Mirage? A debatte on technology and environment in light of the Desertec project for the Mediterranean region.

• Grant number: 13/06184-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2013
• End date: May 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology - Other specific Sociologies
• Principal Investigator: Leila da Costa Ferreira
• Grantee: Luiz Enrique Vieira de Souza
• Host Institution: Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais (NEPAM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/25933-2 - Miracle or mirage? a debate on environment and technology in the light of the desertec project for the Mediterranean region, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Abstract: our research will be dedicated to the analysis of the Desertec Project, an iniciative that intends to estimulate the transition to the so-called "clean energies" through the construction of solar power plants in the Sahara desert. According to the conceivers of this enterprise, its implementation will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in Europe, Middle East and North Africa -, besides generating the necessary energy for the seawater desalination which can mitigate the scarcity of hydric resources in the South of the Mediterranean. Therefore, we are going to focus the potencialities of such enterprise, as well as its "contradictions" and the obstacles to its accomplishment. The main theoretical countribution of our investigation is going to be the discussion of the "prevention principle", on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the comprehension of the "ecological modernization" theory's assumptions and directives, particularly in what concerns the role of "technological developments" to overcome the environment crisis.