Lorena Cardenas, a Ph.D. student at OSU, focuses on climate change impacts in Peru’s Yauyos and Tanta regions. Her research highlights gender disparities and community trust issues stemming from past extractive academic practices. Cardenas’ culinary experiences and cultural observations during her fieldwork further inform her studies, pointing out rural challenges and the importance of preserving traditional lifestyles amidst modernization.
Lorena Cardenas, a second-year Ph.D. student at Oregon State University (OSU) in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, is conducting research on human-environmental geography in Peru. Her studies focus on the effects of climate change on small villages, particularly in the Andes regions of Yauyos and Tanta, and how diverse backgrounds influence experiences with climate change.
During preliminary fieldwork last summer, Cardenas sought to establish connections with local authorities and researchers. She observed that Tanta, with a population of 479, suffers from melting glaciers and deteriorating pastures vital for livestock. Contrarily, Yauyos, with 1,481 residents, is experiencing benefits from warmer temperatures, allowing for the cultivation of new crops for market.
Cardenas emphasizes that climate change is not gender-neutral and its impacts vary across populations. She aims to bridge the gap between climate change and gender issues, facilitating advocacy efforts among diverse stakeholders for informed decision-making. Work in rural Peru poses challenges, as Cardenas noted her difficulty in sticking to a fixed schedule.
Her most recent visit to Peru lasted a month and a half in August 2024, including a week in Yauyos. For the upcoming academic year, she plans to revisit the area for data collection employing participatory methods. Key local collaborators include the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation as well as community member Romel Segura, who facilitated trust-building initiatives.
A significant challenge in her research is overcoming the community’s past negative experiences with researchers engaging in academic extractivism, where knowledge and resources are taken without return. The lingering distrust stems from previous interactions with researchers who did not share findings with communities.
In the Yauyos region, the iconic andenes farming terraces can be seen, but a labor shortage is evident as fewer individuals remain to tend to the demanding agricultural tasks. Cardenas, originally from Peru, enthuses about the local cuisine, particularly the affordable avocados, handmade cheese, bread, and fried trout. Additionally, she experienced the unique local dance, Tunantada, which celebrates the social and ethnic diversity of the Andean communities.
Throughout her journey, Cardenas has gained insights into the rich diversity of rural life, expressing the warmth and openness of local residents. However, she also notes that rural youth are leaving for urban opportunities, thus putting traditional cultures at risk. Despite being in Peru, she missed aspects of her life in Oregon, noting her happiness in reconnecting with her roots while conducting research. She encourages future travelers to appreciate the spontaneity of rural life, enjoy the local atmosphere, and indulge in the delicious cuisine.
In conclusion, Lorena Cardenas’ research in the Peruvian Andes highlights the nuanced impacts of climate change on rural communities, differentiated by gender and social factors. Her undertaking aims to foster trust and collaborative relationships while combating the adverse effects of academic extractivism. Cardenas not only shares her personal experiences but also raises awareness about the cultural challenges facing rural populations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving their traditions as modernization progresses.
Original Source: today.oregonstate.edu
