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Increasing the Resilience of Colombia’s Indigenous Wayuu Communities Through Renewable Energy Technologies

Granit, Ian LU (2022) MIDM19 20221
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract (Swedish)
Small scale renewable energy systems (SSRES) serve as a potential solution to decrease energy poverty, increase water and food security, and a potential climate change adaptation (CCA) strategy. This thesis investigates the diffusion of such systems amongst indigenous Wayuu communities in La Guajira, Colombia, through Roger's Diffusion Theory. Subsequently, a Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus analysis analyse the local impacts of SSRES diffusion and underpins an examination of its suitability as a CCA strategy. To grasp the knowledge of La Guajira's indigenous peoples, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation serves as the primary research methodology for this thesis. The data shows that numerous enablers... (More)
Small scale renewable energy systems (SSRES) serve as a potential solution to decrease energy poverty, increase water and food security, and a potential climate change adaptation (CCA) strategy. This thesis investigates the diffusion of such systems amongst indigenous Wayuu communities in La Guajira, Colombia, through Roger's Diffusion Theory. Subsequently, a Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus analysis analyse the local impacts of SSRES diffusion and underpins an examination of its suitability as a CCA strategy. To grasp the knowledge of La Guajira's indigenous peoples, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation serves as the primary research methodology for this thesis. The data shows that numerous enablers of SSRES diffusion exist. However, the lack of financial capital is the greatest barrier limiting widespread diffusion. The systems in place increase water and food security amongst users, showcasing strong synergies within the WEF Nexus. Still, with the increasing depletion of aquifers, exacerbating groundwater depletion is a significant long-term trade-off. This leads to whether SSRES is suitable for CCA. In the short term, SSRES serves as an efficient CCA strategy by increasing water and subsequent food security. However, decreasing groundwater levels compromise the CCA potential of SSRES in the long term. (Less)
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author
Granit, Ian LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Barriers and enablers of small-scale renewable energy innovation diffusion in the Indigenous Wayuu communities in La Guajira Colombia and its impact on the Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) Nexus and potential as a climate change adaptation tool
course
MIDM19 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Water-Energy-Food Security (WEF) Nexus, Renewable Energy, Energy Security, Water Security, Food Security, diffusion, innovation
language
English
id
9079328
date added to LUP
2022-07-20 10:43:24
date last changed
2022-07-20 10:43:24
@misc{9079328,
  abstract     = {{Small scale renewable energy systems (SSRES) serve as a potential solution to decrease energy poverty, increase water and food security, and a potential climate change adaptation (CCA) strategy. This thesis investigates the diffusion of such systems amongst indigenous Wayuu communities in La Guajira, Colombia, through Roger's Diffusion Theory. Subsequently, a Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus analysis analyse the local impacts of SSRES diffusion and underpins an examination of its suitability as a CCA strategy. To grasp the knowledge of La Guajira's indigenous peoples, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observation serves as the primary research methodology for this thesis. The data shows that numerous enablers of SSRES diffusion exist. However, the lack of financial capital is the greatest barrier limiting widespread diffusion. The systems in place increase water and food security amongst users, showcasing strong synergies within the WEF Nexus. Still, with the increasing depletion of aquifers, exacerbating groundwater depletion is a significant long-term trade-off. This leads to whether SSRES is suitable for CCA. In the short term, SSRES serves as an efficient CCA strategy by increasing water and subsequent food security. However, decreasing groundwater levels compromise the CCA potential of SSRES in the long term.}},
  author       = {{Granit, Ian}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Increasing the Resilience of Colombia’s Indigenous Wayuu Communities Through Renewable Energy Technologies}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}