Lorena Cardenas, a Ph.D. student at OSU, studies climate change’s impact on the Peruvian highland villages of Yauyos and Tanta. Her research addresses the unique experiences of different genders and social groups. Recent challenges include establishing trust in communities wary of previous researchers. Cardenas values the culture, food, and kindness of locals during her research journeys.
Lorena Cardenas, a second-year doctoral student at Oregon State University (OSU), is currently researching the impacts of climate change on rural communities in Peru. Her work examines how gender and social differences affect how various populations experience these changes. Cardenas focuses her studies on the highland villages of Yauyos and Tanta, situated in the Peruvian Andes near Lima.
During her recent fieldwork, Cardenas encountered significant climatic variations affecting local livelihoods. Tanta, a small community with 479 residents, struggles due to melting glaciers and declining pastures vital for livestock, while Yauyos, home to 1,481 people, benefits from warmer temperatures that promote new crop growth for sale in urban areas.
A critical aspect of Cardenas’ research is understanding the gendered implications of climate change. She aims to foster advocacy among various stakeholders for improved decision-making by highlighting the nexus between climate change and gender issues. Cardenas has also faced challenges in developing trust within these communities, stemming from negative past engagements with researchers.
Cardenas has established valuable relationships with local organizations, including the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation and a local community member, Romel Segura, who played a crucial role in building community trust. Her collaboration with the “Adaptation and Resilience in Yauyos” project emphasizes her commitment to participatory research.
She finds that older generations in these rural areas are dwindling as younger individuals move to cities for better opportunities, placing traditional customs at risk. During her experiences, she expressed admiration for the locality’s rich culture, astounding food, and the warmth of its people. Notably, she mentioned the delicious avocados and traditional dishes she encountered.
One memorable cultural aspect was the Tunantada dance, which showcases the integration of diverse social classes and ethnic groups in Peru. Reflecting on her journey, Cardenas emphasized the importance of being adaptable, as rural life often operates without fixed schedules, leading to opportunities for spontaneous engagement with locals and their stories.
In summary, Lorena Cardenas’ research in Peru is crucial for understanding the localized effects of climate change on rural communities while emphasizing the distinct gendered experiences associated with these changes. Despite challenges, her commitment to building trust and fostering collaborative relationships enhances her research’s impact. Cardenas appreciates the rich culture and kindness of the local people, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies in her work. Her experiences underline the ongoing need for attention to rural communities facing demographic and environmental changes.
Original Source: today.oregonstate.edu
