Communities are being sacrificed for energy projects

The claim that "communities are being sacrificed for energy projects" is supported by several instances where energy projects have negatively impacted local communities. In Portugal, the development of a solar park in Cercal led to public outcry due to the removal of protected cork oaks and inadequate public consultation, which residents felt prioritized corporate interests over local concerns (Springer). Similarly, in Brazil, the expansion of offshore wind farms in the state of Ceará has disrupted traditional fishing communities, raising concerns about environmental justice and the displacement of local livelihoods (Mongabay). The concept of "green sacrifice zones" has emerged, describing areas where communities bear the environmental and social costs of renewable energy projects, often without receiving the benefits (Global Landscapes Forum). These cases highlight the need for more equitable and inclusive approaches to energy development that do not disproportionately burden vulnerable communities.