The Three Gorges Dam

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in 1994, and if completed will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world. Some say that the Three Gorges Dam is China’s biggest project since the construction of The Great Wall. In fact, the dam will be one and a half miles wide and more than 600 feet high. The lake that will form behind Three Gorges Dam will stretch for about 350 miles -- the distance from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Amazingly, The Three Gorges Dam reservoir will actually be visible from the moon!
Proponents of the dam claim that it will alleviate China’s growing energy problems. Currently, China burns 50 million tons of coal each year, thus contributing greatly to the country’s environmental problems. The dam's hydropower turbines, however, are expected to create as much electricity as 18 nuclear power plants. Additionally, others hope that the combination of inexpensive electricity and cheap river transportation will further open the region to international investment. Specifically, officials hope to make Chongqing a major business center.
As with all great things, construction of the Three Gorges Dam comes at a great expense. Estimated costs are a hefty $24.65 billion (US dollars), but could easily surmount to $75 billion, Allegations of corruption among officials involved with the project have raised fears of shoddy construction. There is also controversy over the environmental impacts of the dam. Opponents claim that 1.9 million people who will be displaced by the rising waters. Similarly, they are concerned about the loss of many valuable archaeological and cultural sites, including the homeland of the Ba, an ancient people who settled in the region about 4,000 years ago. Furthermore, there are grave concerns that the dam might become an environmental disaster. Experts say toxic materials could leach into the reservoir, creating a health hazard. By severing the flow of the great Yangzi River, the dam will cause pollution from industrial and residential sources to concentrate in the river, rather than be flushed out at sea. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until its completion in 2009 before we can start calculating the true costs of The Three Gorges Dam.

[Anonymous]

There's always a price for progress isn't there? Unfortunately, China has a worse record re: the environment than we do.

[Anonymous]

The problem isn't with China...rather, it's with our obsession for inexpensive products. If you take a look at the tags on our clothing, shoes, and so many other material goods, it's evident that we're exploiting China. Unfortunately, China's natural resources are quickly degredating. The real cost of China's economic boom, however, will be paid the entire world! After all, we breathe the same air and compete for the same clean water.

[Anonymous]

I found this article on the main page of the Asia Inst. site. There is a tremendous history of environmental disasters only to be covered up, ignored, blame placed elsewhere, etc... In keeping with the article Minamota story, there is an old, but famous photo taken by one of the top photojournalists of his time, W. Eugene Smith. The photo is disurbingly powerful, reminding us that many companies and countries value profit over lives. Even the lives of its citizens, people they are supposed to protect Tomoko Uemura photo

I hope there are no issues like we have seen in the past, from Minamota, to 3 Mile Island to Chernobyl. The list is lengthy, filled with pain and horrors.

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