Theoretical Alternatives on Health and Accountability in Hydroelectric Projects: Commons Theory and Ecosystem Approach to Health

• Autor(a) principal: Felipe, Marina Reche
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre as Américas
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unb.br/index.php/repam/article/view/41168
• topic: Usinas hidrelétricas. Licenciamento Ambiental. Abordagem Ecossistêmica em Saúde. Commons.; Hydroelectric plants. Environmental licensing. Health. Commons.; Centrales hidroeléctricas. Licencias ambientales. Enfoque ecosistémico de la salud. Commons

This article analyzes the socio-environmental impacts resulting from the construction process of hydroelectric plants in Brazil - especially the impacts on human health. We examined the instruments of the environmental licensing process, such as the environmental impact report, in addition to aspects related to social participation and accountability for the impacts caused by these works. The study of projects for major infrastructure works requires a systemic view, as a way of ensuring social and environmental resilience in the region of the work. Thus, we analyze some theoretical approaches (Commons Theory and Ecosystem Approach to Health) that could contribute to interdisciplinary strategies for the assessment of health impacts and on the process of social accountability for the mitigation of these impacts, having as a case study the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte (PA). As a result, we found that sustainability principles were not implemented during the execution of development projects. There was also frequent confusion and lack of transparency as to who would be responsible for mitigating problems related to collective and/or individual health.