The impact of the green transition on local communities
Societal outreach and impact
“As a researcher I have focused on how the green transition and the worldwide push towards less carbon intensive energy affects local communities. In my work, I have prioritized the voice and situated knowledge of the people who are directly affected by the industrial energy buildout of facilities and gas pipelines necessary for hydraulic fracturing” / Martina Angela Caretta
Research brings forth local residents´ experiences of living close to gas extraction and distribution infrastructures in Appalachia and supports environmental organizations to push for stricter regulations.
Watch the film about Martina Angela Caretta's research in Appalachia
Climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions is one of the greatest global challenges of our time. The energy sector contributes to nearly three-quarters of the global emissions. A green transition is needed, and the EU has taken steps to reduce its energy sector emissions. This has partly been achieved by substituting oil with gas for industrial energy production. The gas used by the EU has historically been imported from Russia but the war with the Ukraine has led the EU to substitute Russian gas with gas imported from the USA. The USA has been able to satisfy this increase in foreign demand thanks to the development of a technique of gas extraction called hydraulic fracturing and the subsequent construction of gas distribution infrastructures, including a vast network of pipelines across the USA. These infrastructures have had significant impact on the communities and residents affected.
-As a researcher I have focused on how the green transition and the worldwide push towards less carbon intensive energy affects local communities. In my work, I have prioritized the voice and situated knowledge of the people who are directly affected by the industrial energy buildout of facilities and gas pipelines necessary for hydraulic fracturing, says Martina Angela Caretta.
This research has been carried out by Associate Professor Martina Angela Caretta between 2016 and 2020 in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Caretta, M. A., & Emanuel, R. E. (2023). Does shale gas development impact property values in Central Appalachia? A mixed methods critical exploration. The Extractive Industries and Society, 14, 101251.
Caretta, M. A., & Carlson, E. B. (2023). Local residents’ lived experiences of energy sprawl in West Virginia. A visual exploration of landscape change. Landscape Research, 48(6), 841–858.
Carlson, E. B., & Caretta, M. A. 2023. Collaborative sensemaking through photos: Using photovoice to study gas pipeline development in Appalachia. Qualitative Research.
Caretta, M. A., & Carlson, E. B. 2023. Coercion via Eminent Domain and Legal Fees: The Acceptance of Gas Extraction in West Virginia. Environmental Justice 16(1), 36-42.
Caretta, M. A., Carlson, E., Hood, R., & Turley, B. 2021. “From a rural idyll to an industrial site: an analysis of hydraulic fracturing energy sprawl in Central Appalachia.” Journal of Land Use Science. 16(4), 382-397.
Emanuel, R. E., Caretta, M.A., Rivers, L., Vasudevan, P. 2021. ”Natural Gas Gathering and Transmission Pipelines and Social Vulnerability in the United States”. GeoHealth.5 (6) e2021GH000442
Carlson, E. B., Caretta, M. A. 2021. “Legitimizing Situated Knowledge in Rural Communities Through Storytelling Around Gas Pipelines and Environmental Risk.” Technical Communication, 68 (4); 40-55
“In our region much of the private, academic and even sometimes some of the government sponsored research is funded by the very industries that are the subject of these analysis. The oil and gas industry especially. For this reason, it can be difficult to find credible natural scientific research to support the work of grassroot organizations or community members impacted by the fossil fuel industry activities. Residents and decisionmakers often do not have enough information to adequately asses the risks of oil and gas of other fossil fuel based development. Being able to base our work on scientific evidence that we actually can rely on is critical to the success of our work and to the wellbeing our communities.“ / Joanne Kilgour, Executive Director, Ohio River Valley Institute