Abstract

It is important to mitigate the climate crisis by switching to renewable energy from the damaging fossil fuels. Although solar panels are a part of the solution to solving climate change, it is overlooked how much damage to communities large scale solar parks can cause. Through the UNFCCC Paris Climate Agreement India has created the goal to reduce carbon emissions by 33% by 2030. There is an increase in the production of solar panels due to India’s attempt to reach their goal has caused damage to communities due to the increase of mines, solar factories, solar parks, and e-waste dump sites. Workers in the mines have received work related injuries, and many workers through all stages of solar panels do not receive a livable wage. The goal of this project is to raise awareness about the struggles citizens of India face while working in mines for solar panel materials and factories; as well as argue for better working conditions. To accomplish this goal we collected data through research assistants located in India. Citizens were asked their opinion on the mines in Shankargarh, solar park operation in Bhadla, solar park development in Fatehgarh, manufacturing in Bengaluru, and e-waste sites in Gummidipoondi and Seelampur. This data on how their living conditions were interacting with a mine, factory, or e-waste site was recorded to create a conclusion on how their livelihood was impacted with the increase of solar panels created in India. We cannot leave communities in India to be left in the dark in the middle of this climate crisis.

Class Standing

Freshman

Department

Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences

Faculty Advisor

Ryan Stock

Faculty Advisor Email

rystock@nmu.edu

Date

2022

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