Green energy and sacrifice zones: A new kind of sacrifice zone?

Author

• Lynn S.N. Cai, University of New OrleansFollow

Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Urban Studies

Department

Planning and Urban Studies

Major Professor

David Gladstone

Second Advisor

Bethany Stich

Third Advisor

Christopher Oliver

Abstract

Globalization in the 20^th and 21^st centuries has led to heavy industrialization around the world, with facilities for heavy industry more likely to be built in the poorest urban areas, resulting in sacrifice zones. These patterns were originally caused by the development of the fossil fuel industry. Awareness in recent decades have resulted in a push towards developing green energy, including batteries for electric vehicles (EV) and other technologies. This has led to a demand for rare earth minerals such as lithium which could potentially lead to new sacrifice zones, repeating the same injustices caused by fossil fuels. This thesis aims to explore the potential similarities between sacrifice zones caused by green energy developments and sacrifice zones caused by fossil fuels.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

Recommended Citation

Cai, Lynn S.N., "Green energy and sacrifice zones: A new kind of sacrifice zone?" (2025). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 3334.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/3334