Thesis work is starting! Yay! I think that much of my project will be drawn from my work on hydroelectric dam deconstruction. At a time like this when there are endless possibilities, it is always comforting to go back to basics. In this case basics means Situated Research Themes, a compilation of “broadly defined environmental topics” compiled by environmental studies majors of the past and present.
There are a few of these themes that apply to my area of interest.
Energy
I’m all about energy! Everyone uses it in one way or another whether it’s the energy an individual expends to go collect drinking water from a river or the energy that I use to check the weather every morning on my computer instead of using different energy to get out of bed and stick my head out of the door. More specifically I am interested in hydroelectric energy production and all of the controversies that follow hydroelectric dams.
Climate Change
Who isn’t into climate change? For me, climate change plays a supporting but still very important role. First, climate change has led to the need for an energy overhaul. All of the fossil fuels resources that used to be “just fine” to use are causing some trouble so countries are starting to rely less on non-renewables and focus more on development of the renewable energy sector. Second, climate change is altering the hydrology of regions across the globe including the Pacific Northwest, where my primary area of study is located. These changes in hydrology are leading to changes in the way that energy can be harnessed from waterways.
Political Economy and the Environment
Political economy is not really quite getting at what I want to say but it’s going on the list. I am not only intrigued by the putting up, taking down, and regulation of hydroelectric projects but I am also really interested in the ability for individuals to have an impact on this process at the local, state, and federal level. That’s where my policy interest stems from. As far as political economy, I’m interested in the energy-demand side of the equation. Do individuals choose energy companies based off of their renewable energy portfolio or it is all about price? What role does regulating the utilities play?
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