Not in vain: exploring how to assess outcomes and consequences of recent environmental protests in Latin America

ANA MARÍA VARA

Boston

Congreso; XXXVI International Congress of the Latin American Studies Association, LASA 2019; 2019

Latin American Studies Association (LASA)

In recent years, Latin American countries have been the site of multipleenvironmental protests. We have argued that the region has gone through a cycleof protest, mostly focused on resource-intensive industries, such asagribusiness, pulp and paper mills, oil and gas extraction, mining (open pit,uranium, lithium); but also regarding hazardous facilities (waste deposits,electric and gas lines, large dams). In this presentation, we intend to exploresome ways to analyze outcomes and consequences of this cycle. A) On how to assess outcomes: i) what changesmay be attributed to the mobilization? Scope of the changes?; ii) between controversies regarding diffusionand brokerage (were the information, repertoire of contention, politicalopportunities shared?); iii) and regarding framing (collective action frames renewed?  New ones created?). B) On how to assessconsequences: i) did promoterschange their strategies? Regarding communication, access to authorities andregulation, other?; ii) didpromoters change their plans (kind of technology, location)?; iv) socio-spatialspecialization of certain industries? C) On how to assess impact on publicopinion: i) an increased green consciousness in the region?; if so, ii) does ittranslate into changes in attitudes, behavior, values?; iii) does it cut acrossclasses, parties, sectors or not?; iv) is there more or less trust in scienceand technology? In regulators? D) Regarding the media: i) change in quantityand quality of coverage?; ii) what framings?; iii) differences between media outletsand different media?; iv) neutrality or side taking? E) What problems remainout of the public agenda?