Three Gorges Project The Three Gorges Project is one of China’s largest construction projects since the Great Wall. It is 1-1/2 miles long and more than 600 feet high with a reservoir hundreds of feet deep and nearly 400 miles long. The project is full of potential environmental and social risks, yet its purpose is to increase affordable hydroelectric power throughout the Yangtze Valley and provide water to the drought stricken area to the north, around Beijing. CNN reports that “the project’s 26 hydropower turbines are expected to produce 18.2 million kilowatts, up to one-ninth of China’s output” (1). In a CNN poll, out of “5,312 votes, 50% think the Three Gorges Dam project is “more harmful than beneficial,” 38% think it is “more beneficial than harmful,” and 13% think the pros and cons will balance out” (1). The Three Gorges area is a “unique scenic splendor which has been a central part of the Chinese life and mythology since time immemorial and will be lost forever” (2). 1.9 million people are being evacuated from their ancestral homes and the fertile farm lands along the Yangtze River. The area is home to the rare white fin fresh water dolphin and the Chinese sturgeon, which environmentalists believe will be driven to extinction. However, Chinese officials say the ecological systems will not be damaged. There is hope that ocean-coming ships will venture along the Yangtze River and stay for up to six months, boosting the economy. The Chinese government hopes international businesses will see the area as a prime location to invest. At this point, the Yangtze River, as fertile as it may be, is massively polluted with industrial toxins from paper, silk, steel and chemical factories. Diversion of the polluted water does not sound healthful. The Chinese officials say they will build 100 water and sewage plants, therefore, treat the water before sending it away. The need to close hundreds of factories in the area to make room for the reservoir, makes environmentalists cringe at the fact that the toxic chemicals from the factories are still contained in the soils and it is not likely they will take proper measures in the cleanup of the factories. One of the biggest concerns is the seismic fault under the dam. Hydrogeologists fear that the dam will break and kill millions of people. They fear the Chinese do not have the knowledge or resources to design or build a dam to withstand seismic shock. On the other hand, Chinese officials say it is designed to undergo earthquakes. Evidentially, there are some serious environmental risks, yet some positive economic advantage to build a dam this size. The population and economic growth of China are the main reasons why they need to seek out alternative means for electricity and water. The officials think there will be no environmental or social impacts which gives me the feeling they did not do an environmental impact report nor do they care about the social impact of moving 1.9 million people away from their ancestral homes. In my opinion, it makes more sense to build a few dams along the river, lessening the impacts. Unfortunately, the Chinese have a reputation of jailing and/or executing individuals who hold strong evidence about the environmental damages in the building of the dam. Since the Chinese government monitors the media, to the point of regulating what can and can’t be broadcast, there may be more problems in store of which we are not aware. References 1. Kennedy, Bruce, CNN In-Depth specials - Visions of China - Asian Superpower: “China’s Three Gorges Dam” -1999. Website: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/asian.superpower/three.gorges/ 2. Environmental News Network - “The Three Gorges Controversy” - Jan 20, 1997. Website:http://www.enn.com/enn-news-archive/1997/01/012497/feature.asp Home