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broader sense, they can become disruptive to both the landscape and the social
structures where they are implemented.
Peasant production systems, especially those of family structure, of a cyclical
and seasonal nature, reflect a historical process of adaptation to the ecological conditions and of adaptation of productive modes: an answer to the conditions of aridity. The opposite model is one based on maximization of sustained productivity,
aimed at international market demands. So far, in this region both models of food
production coexist. In the “altiplano,” the development of the industrial agricultural
model, where intensive production and monoculture practices predominate, was
enhanced owing to the guidance of businessmen from other regions, electrical
energy subsidies, and increased road interconnection (Maisterrena and Mora 2000).
The valuation of an area of “conjuncture agricultural” implies its complete
appropriation to maximize productivity in the short term and, after the depletion of
local resources, the abandonment of lands (Macías-Macías 2008). Excessive pressure for irrigation sowing and the use of greenhouses results in a combination of
effects due to high energy consumption (Salazar et al. 2012), overexploited aquifers
(CONAFOR-UAch 2013), and abandonment of infrastructure, which accumulates
as scrap. Altogether, this affects the forms of production of family nuclei, and even
the alteration of the hydrological cycle of the area (Maisterrena and Mora 2000).
Energy Overproduction Projects
The intensive use of renewable resources such as solar and wind energy leads to the
erroneous impression of the absence of limitations for their implementation as a
source of energy production. Hidden social and environmental costs in (1) its productive chain and (2) energy overproduction are blurred.
Although the operation of alternative energy technological devices does not generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is necessary to consider the energy and
material extraction costs for their production. In a particular way, the manufacture
of photovoltaic solar cells (PVSC) uses various chemical compounds and elements
(cadmium, lead, arsenic, and nickel) cataloged as toxic. Used on a massive scale,
they are highly unhealthy for the local habitat, and they have even provoked dissatisfaction with the establishment of production factories (Aman et al. 2015; EJATLAS
n.d.). In addition, the production of batteries in PVSC requires a large amount of
energy and raw materials (Tsoutsos et al. 2005).
The average lifetime of a solar panel is between 20 and 40 years. Final disposal
has harmful implications if the necessary precautions are not taken. Thus, this electronic waste may represent a challenge. Another drawback is maintaining solar panels free of dust and dirt generated by cattle grazing or wind, which requires a variety
of dust suppressants, considered dangerous, which are a risk factor for polluting
surrounding and underground waters (Aman et al. 2015).
6 Forced Modernization in Drylands: Socio-Ecological System Disruption…
broader sense, they can become disruptive to both the landscape and the social
structures where they are implemented.
Peasant production systems, especially those of family structure, of a cyclical
and seasonal nature, reflect a historical process of adaptation to the ecological conditions and of adaptation of productive modes: an answer to the conditions of aridity. The opposite model is one based on maximization of sustained productivity,
aimed at international market demands. So far, in this region both models of food
production coexist. In the “altiplano,” the development of the industrial agricultural
model, where intensive production and monoculture practices predominate, was
enhanced owing to the guidance of businessmen from other regions, electrical
energy subsidies, and increased road interconnection (Maisterrena and Mora 2000).
The valuation of an area of “conjuncture agricultural” implies its complete
appropriation to maximize productivity in the short term and, after the depletion of
local resources, the abandonment of lands (Macías-Macías 2008). Excessive pressure for irrigation sowing and the use of greenhouses results in a combination of
effects due to high energy consumption (Salazar et al. 2012), overexploited aquifers
(CONAFOR-UAch 2013), and abandonment of infrastructure, which accumulates
as scrap. Altogether, this affects the forms of production of family nuclei, and even
the alteration of the hydrological cycle of the area (Maisterrena and Mora 2000).
Energy Overproduction Projects
The intensive use of renewable resources such as solar and wind energy leads to the
erroneous impression of the absence of limitations for their implementation as a
source of energy production. Hidden social and environmental costs in (1) its productive chain and (2) energy overproduction are blurred.
Although the operation of alternative energy technological devices does not generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is necessary to consider the energy and
material extraction costs for their production. In a particular way, the manufacture
of photovoltaic solar cells (PVSC) uses various chemical compounds and elements
(cadmium, lead, arsenic, and nickel) cataloged as toxic. Used on a massive scale,
they are highly unhealthy for the local habitat, and they have even provoked dissatisfaction with the establishment of production factories (Aman et al. 2015; EJATLAS
n.d.). In addition, the production of batteries in PVSC requires a large amount of
energy and raw materials (Tsoutsos et al. 2005).
The average lifetime of a solar panel is between 20 and 40 years. Final disposal
has harmful implications if the necessary precautions are not taken. Thus, this electronic waste may represent a challenge. Another drawback is maintaining solar panels free of dust and dirt generated by cattle grazing or wind, which requires a variety
of dust suppressants, considered dangerous, which are a risk factor for polluting
surrounding and underground waters (Aman et al. 2015).
6 Forced Modernization in Drylands: Socio-Ecological System Disruption…