Necropolitics of winds: social determination of mental health in the face of exposure to wind power enterprises in rural communities of Pernambuco

Authors

  • Felipe Cazeiro PhD in Psychology, Adjunct Professor, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1225-2884
  • Wanessa Silva Gomes PhD in Public Health, Adjunct Professor, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
  • André Monteiro Costa PhD in Public Health, Full Professor, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, PE, Brazil
  • Andrei Junior da Costa Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Psychologist, Municipal Education Secretariat, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
  • Rian Rafael Silva Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
  • Maria Eduarda Virginio Gomes da Silva Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
  • Sara Regina da Silva Teixeira Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
  • Vivian Karla Sousa da Silva Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6854-4488
  • Claudia Danielle Pereira Santos Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6537-1638
  • Diogo Alexandre Silva Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2107-4418
  • Giovana Marinho Nascimento Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9934-1238

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n2.2025.57804

Keywords:

Wind Energy, Mental Health, Peasants, Necropolitics, Social Determinantion of Health

Abstract

The implementation of wind farms produces transformations in and around communities, causing diverse impacts in multiple areas, revealing vulnerability processes. This research aimed to understand these processes in rural communities in Pernambuco, Brazil, due to these projects. This quantitative and qualitative action research was conducted through semi-structured interviews, with health assessments using instruments, tests, and audiometry. We adopted content analysis to analyse the data and strengthen the struggle of these communities. To understand this persistent backdrop of violence, the research employs necropolitics as per Achille Mbembe (2020) and the social determination of health, as per Jaime Breilh (2006, 2013). We observed that the arrival and operation of wind turbines coincided with the emergence and deterioration of health signs and symptoms, especially mental health. Therefore, caution is urgently needed when planning and building wind farms, as such health problems can be temporary or permanent, leading the local community to constant distress and even a lack of will to live.

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Author Biographies

Felipe Cazeiro, PhD in Psychology, Adjunct Professor, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Psychologist, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at UPE, Garanhuns-PE campus. Coordinator of the Integrated Multiprofessional Residency in Public Health with an emphasis on Agroecology (REMISCA).

Wanessa Silva Gomes, PhD in Public Health, Adjunct Professor, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Ph.D. in Public Health from the Aggeu Magalhães Institute, (FIOCRUZ-PE). Faculty member in the School of Medicine at the University of Pernambuco (UPE); permanent professor in the Professional Master’s Program in Psychology – Practices and Innovation in Mental Health (PRISMAL)and collaborating professor in the Graduate Program in Public Health at the Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ-PE).

André Monteiro Costa, PhD in Public Health, Full Professor, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, PE, Brazil

Senior Researcher in the Department of Collective Health at the Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ).

Andrei Junior da Costa, Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Psychologist, Municipal Education Secretariat, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

School psychologist from the Municipal Department of Education of Garanhuns, representative of the Regional Council of Psychology - Southern Agreste - on the Municipal Council of Social Assistance of Garanhuns.

Rian Rafael Silva, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Maria Eduarda Virginio Gomes da Silva, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Sara Regina da Silva Teixeira, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Vivian Karla Sousa da Silva, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Claudia Danielle Pereira Santos, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Diogo Alexandre Silva, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Giovana Marinho Nascimento, Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

Undergraduate student in Psychology, University of Pernambuco (UPE), Garanhuns, PE, Brazil

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Published

2025-08-30

How to Cite

Cazeiro, F., Gomes, W. S., Costa, A. M., Costa, A. J. da, Silva, R. R., Silva, M. E. V. G. da, … Nascimento, G. M. (2025). Necropolitics of winds: social determination of mental health in the face of exposure to wind power enterprises in rural communities of Pernambuco. Sustainability in Debate, 16(2), 191–220. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v16n2.2025.57804

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2025): Sustainability in Debate

Section

Articles - Varia

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