Converging Trends in Climate Change, Mining, and Agriculture: Analysis of Hydrosocial Relations Over Desalination and Glaciers in Chile

Global efforts to mitigate climate change by transitioning to clean energy technologies are expected to increase demand for minerals from Global South countries. While this could have economic benefits for national mining sectors, it raises concerns over the environmental and social footprint of mining in regions long subject to conflict over water between extractive industries and small- and large-scale agriculture. Chile is a prime example of this dynamic; it is a top global producer of copper, lithium, and agricultural products, but has been subject to an unprecedented drought since 2010. Though substantial research exists on the impacts of global warming on mining and agriculture separately, little work has been done on climate change effects at the intersection of these two sectors that are foundational to local and global economies.

The team will employ Geographic Information Science (GIS) and qualitative methods like interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders to examine this topic. The project will produce findings that can be used by communities, government, and industry to respond to or reduce the negative impacts of mining and climate change in water-stressed regions of Chile and around the world.