Short Abstract

Submissions open for stories and narratives from diverse contexts that will be woven together to collectively re-construct desert imaginaries and socioecological energy transitions. The panel will lay the foundation of a collective article in the Journal of Political Ecology.

Long Abstract

The global transition to renewable energy is often framed as an ecological imperative, yet its implementation frequently intersects with socio-ecological injustices, particularly in arid regions (Davis, 2016; Joshi & Kothari, 2024). Deserts, perceived as "empty" spaces, have become prime locations for large-scale solar and wind projects, raising critical questions about water use, land governance, indigenous and more-than-human rights (Henni, 2022; Hussein & Schuetze, 2024; Schuetze, 2024). This panel examines the energy-water nexus in energy transition projects across desert regions—hot (e.g. North Africa/Middle East) and cold (e.g. Ladakh, India, Arctic regions)—to compare governance models, socio-ecological impacts, resistance movements and alternatives.

The panel will bring researchers and activists to share their experiences located in diverse socio-political and geographical contexts, to collectively answer:

- How are deserts socially constructed as vacant spaces for RE projects?

- How are different governance models mobilised to access land and water in RE projects?

- What are the socio-ecological impacts on local communities, more-than-human life and water resources?

- What are the alternative visions for socio-ecological just RE projects that exist in desert landscapes?

Overall, we challenge the "empty desert" myth, linking political ecology and energy justice with the scholarship that centers deserts in socio-ecological transformations. We will bring together a community of scholars working on renewable projects in desert landscapes, creating exchange as well as policy recommendation for inclusive governance models that prioritize water equity, local participation and well-being. Furthermore, we will create support for activism and advocacy efforts with documented cases and connecting resistance and alternatives.

We will host 6 stories, starting with invited inputs from scholar-activists Hamza Hamouchene (Transnational Institute) and Ashish Kothari (Vikalp Sangam) followed by 4 POLLEN participants and concluding with a discussion with the audience. The panel will lay the foundation of a collective article in the Journal of Political Ecology.

This Different has 9 pending paper proposals.
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