Lorena Cardenas is a Ph.D. student at OSU studying climate change in Peruvian villages. Her research in Tanta and Yauyos emphasizes the varied impacts of climate change on local livelihoods, focusing on gender differences. Cardenas aims to build trust and advocate for better decision-making while confronting challenges from the past experiences of local communities with researchers.
Lorena Cardenas, a second-year Ph.D. student from Oregon State University, focuses on human-environmental geography in her research on climate change in small villages in Peru. Her study examines the impacts of climate change on livelihoods in rural communities like Tanta and Yauyos, emphasizing how experiences differ across gender and social distinctions. During her preliminary fieldwork, she cultivated relationships with local researchers and found varying impacts of climate change on these two communities.
Tanta, home to 479 residents, grapples with adverse effects due to melting glaciers and declining pastures, essential for livestock. In contrast, Yauyos, with a population of 1,481, benefits from warmer temperatures that allow for new crop cultivation. Cardenas aims to use her research to spotlight the gendered aspects of climate change and foster advocacy for better decision-making at various levels. She notes the difficulty of maintaining a schedule while conducting her research in rural Peru due to logistical challenges.
Cardenas recently spent about six weeks in Peru, including a significant time in Yauyos, and plans to return in the summer to gather more data through participatory methods. She established connections with local authorities, assisted by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and local colleagues, including Romel Segura, who facilitated trust-building with residents.
One of her major challenges is overcoming the historical distrust some communities harbor towards researchers due to previous negative experiences related to academic extractivism, where knowledge was extracted without reciprocation. Cardenas is focused on creating equitable and trust-based relationships.
Visitors to Yauyos can observe the andenes, stair-like terraces for farming, but finding laborers for the demanding agricultural work has become increasingly challenging. Cardenas also praises the local cuisine, noting her favorites, such as avocados, handmade cheese, and fried trout with native potatoes.
Cultural experiences, such as watching the Tunantada dance—which showcases Peru’s diverse social classes—further enriched her time there. Cardenas reflects on the kindness of the local populace and the richness of rural communities. However, she is saddened by the aging demographics of these areas, which risks the preservation of traditional cultures as younger generations leave for urban opportunities.
While in Peru, she missed her family, who could not join her at all times. Cardenas advises future travelers to embrace spontaneity and enjoy the rich connections, landscapes, and culinary delights, as rural life tends to be slow-paced and unpredictable.
In summary, Lorena Cardenas is actively researching the nuanced impacts of climate change on gender and livelihoods in rural communities in Peru. Through her fieldwork in Yauyos and Tanta, she is working to build trust and advocate for informed decision-making amid the challenges that rural areas face, including demographic shifts and historical distrust from past academic practices. Her experiences highlight the importance of engagement, cultural appreciation, and the richness of traditional practices as essential elements of her research and personal journey.
Original Source: today.oregonstate.edu
