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Research

Tue, 12/18/2012 - 15:56 — dhindery

Research areas 

  • Political ecology, environment and critical development studies
  • Effects of neoliberal and "post-neoliberal" models of economic "development" on the environment and indigenous peoples in Bolivia
  • Indigenous movements and Indigenous alternative models of living (e.g. women's non-timber forest products cooperatives, indigenous artisan and music schools)
  • Latin America (primarily Bolivia), U.S. (LNG projects and associated upstream and downstream impacts, including fracking)
  • Social and environmental impacts of natural gas and mining projects

My research focuses on effects of neoliberal and "post-neoliberal" models of economic development on communities (primarily indigenous communities) and the environment in Latin America and the U.S. Specific research projects include: 1. Effects of neoliberal and "post-neoliberal" models of economic development on sensitive ecosystems and indigenous peoples in Bolivia, focusing on:

  • a comparative analysis of impacts of Enron (now Ashmore) and Shell's Cuiabá and Bolivia-Brazil pipelines and associated mines on Bolivia's Chiquitano Forest, Pantanal Wetlands, Chaco Forest and indigenous communities under neoliberalism (1985-2005) versus post-neoliberalism (post-2005), using qualitative research, field observations, remote sensing, and GIS data sets (ongoing project, since 1999). This also includes comparisons with other extractive projects such as oil development in the vicinity of Madidi Park and extractive development in Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS).
  • a comparative analysis of deforestation in Bolivia's Santa Cruz Department under neoliberalism (1985-2005) versus post-neoliberalism (post-2005), centering on large-scale commercial agriculture. Co-PI. Collaborative project with Andrew Millington (Texas A&M) and Danny Redo (Texas A&M University).
  • innovative alternatives implemented by lowland indigenous peoples in Bolivia (e.g. the Guarayo Music and Artisan Institute in Urubicha, Bolivia; networks of women cooperatives producing non-timber forest products like copaibo and babassu oil).
  • effects of Chinese investment in Bolivia's lowlands, focusing on extractive industries, gender and environmental justice.
  • political, economic and environmental drivers of fires in the Bolivian lowlands, focusing on linkages with industrial farming, colonization and logging. 

2. Environmental, social and policy impacts of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects along the commodity chain, from source areas of extraction in Bolivia and the Peruvian Amazon to sites of distribution and consumption in Southern California, Oregon and Mexico. The study focuses on marginalized communities disproportionately affected by construction and operation of LNG receiving terminals in Baja California, Mexico, Southern California, and Oregon. This research is contextualized within the current debate between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state agencies over the siting of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) receiving terminals.