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Poverty–Food Insecurity Nexus in the Post-Construction Context of a Large Hydropower Dam in the Brazilian Amazon

Author

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  • Igor Cavallini Johansen

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Research (NEPAM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-867, SP, Brazil)

  • Miquéias Freitas Calvi

    (Faculty of Forestry, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Altamira 68372-040, PA, Brazil)

  • Verônica Gronau Luz

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Grande Dourados Federal University (UFGD), Dourados 79825-070, MS, Brazil)

  • Ana Maria Segall-Corrêa

    (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brasília 70904-130, DF, Brazil)

  • Caroline C. Arantes

    (Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6125, USA)

  • Victoria Judith Isaac

    (Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática e Pesca, Federal University of Pará, Belém 66077-530, PA, Brazil)

  • Renata Utsunomiya

    (Institute of Energy and Environment (IEE), University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-010, SP, Brazil)

  • Vanessa Cristine e Souza Reis

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Research (NEPAM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-867, SP, Brazil
    Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia)

  • Emilio F. Moran

    (Center for Environmental Studies and Research (NEPAM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-867, SP, Brazil
    Department of Geography, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA)

Abstract

Within the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, large hydropower dams are positioned as a sustainable energy source, notwithstanding their adverse impacts on societies and ecosystems. This study contributed to ongoing discussions about the persistence of critical social issues, even after the investments of large amounts of resources in areas impacted by the construction of large hydropower dams. Our study focused on food insecurity and evaluated this issue in the city of Altamira in the Brazilian Amazon, which has been profoundly socially and economically impacted by the construction, between 2011 and 2015, of Brazil’s second-largest dam, namely, Belo Monte. A survey in Altamira city featured a 500-household random sample. Structural equation modeling showed conditioning factors of 60% of the population experiencing varying food insecurity degrees. Poverty, female-led households, lower education, youth, and unemployment were strongly linked to higher food insecurity. Crowded, officially impacted, and resettled households also faced heightened food insecurity. Our findings underscore the food insecurity conditions in the region impacted by the Belo Monte dam, emphasizing the need to take into account this crucial issue while planning and implementing hydropower dams.

Suggested Citation

  • Igor Cavallini Johansen & Miquéias Freitas Calvi & Verônica Gronau Luz & Ana Maria Segall-Corrêa & Caroline C. Arantes & Victoria Judith Isaac & Renata Utsunomiya & Vanessa Cristine e Souza Reis & Emi, 2024. "Poverty–Food Insecurity Nexus in the Post-Construction Context of a Large Hydropower Dam in the Brazilian Amazon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:2:p:155-:d:1329611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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