The transition towards renewable energy sources stands as one of the main challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of global sustainability. Among these alternatives, geothermal energy emerges as a particularly valuable option due to its renewable, stable, and low-emission characteristics, aligning directly with the objectives of SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (Tester et al., 2021). Despite these advantages, the global and regional implementation of geothermal energy remains relatively limited when compared to other renewable energies such as solar and wind sources. In this context, our project aims to promote awareness and understanding of geothermal energy among students and the academic community of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

Póster presentado en "English Chair. Advances and Challenges of Geology in Argentina". Neuquén, 3 de Noviembre de 2025.

The research analyzes the relationship between the lack of urban planning and slope instability in the bardas of Neuquén, with the aim of identifying risk zones and assessing the social perception of danger. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining geospatial analysis in QGIS with surveys of local residents. The hazard and vulnerability maps revealed that the neighborhoods of Villa Ceferino, Melipal, and Islas Malvinas show a critical overlap between high geomorphological susceptibility and high social exposure. Despite this, 82% of respondents do not perceive their homes to be at risk, and 64% are unaware of the concept of mitigation, evidencing a significant gap between physical risk and social perception. The results highlight the need to incorporate geological and geomorphological criteria into urban planning and to implement education and monitoring campaigns that strengthen community-based risk management. It is concluded that the integration of technical tools and citizen participation is essential to move toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable urban development.

This paper addresses the awareness of geothermal energy within the university community of the University of Comahue (Universidad Nacional del Comahue, UNCo), within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The study combined a quantitative-descriptive and educational-participatory approach through surveys conducted before and after a scientific outreach campaign that included printed brochures and digital infographics. The results showed a significant increase in the level of knowledge and an improvement in the perception of geothermal energy as a clean and safe source, along with a reduction in misconceptions about its environmental impacts. Likewise, a greater willingness to change opinions after receiving reliable information was observed, confirming the effectiveness of the implemented communication strategies. Overall, the findings demonstrate that scientific education within the academic environment is a key tool to promote social acceptance of renewable energies and strengthen the transition toward a sustainable energy model.