Energy KQ3 Flashcards
Explain some facts about the Three Gorges Dam (TGD)?
On the Yangtze River Completed in 2009 Dam size - 2km wide and nearly 200m high Reservoir size - 660km long (london to glasgow) Energy - 26 generators Cost - $20 billion
State the economic opportunities of the TGD?
Supplies 100 billion kilowatt per hour
Created job opportunities to build and maintain and suppliers for the materials
Improved river transport
Highly skilled workforce now
What are the social opportunities of the TGD?
Provides cheap renewable energy for local population
Supported the development of new towns and cities
Infrastructure development
Reduced flood risk downstream - reducing death toll and financial loss from natural disasters
Source of national pride
What are some socio-economic costs of the TGD?
1.3 million people had to be relocated
Older people have lost their livelihoods and the homes they built
800 historical sites have been lost and 1000s of archaeological sites also
Maintenance of the dam has proved to be very expensive (reinforcing valley sides and reservoir dredging)
Good agricultural land has been ruined
What are some environmental costs of the TGD?
The dam created a slow moving reservoir - fish and plants have not been able to survive
Sediment is building up in the reservoir -threatening dam machinery and the success of the project
The slow moving water rises the risk of pollutants collecting from over 3000 factories discharging polluted water into the river
Earthquakes triggered by the dam - failure = mass flooding
Loss of the Yangtze river dolphin
Explain some background information on the Niger Delta?
Mostly traditional subsistence farmers 23 million people and growing rapidly 60% of population have no electricity 12% of babies don't live to 1 year old LE 43 years old
What are the opportunities available from the oil extraction in the Niger Delta?
Nigeria has got $800 billion from oil since 1960
It provides 80% of the govt. revenue
Oil companies provide jobs for around 6000 staff and 90% of whom are Nigerian
The oil business employs 35,000 people indirectly
What are the socio-economic challenges in the Niger Delta?
Oil spill damage the soil and reduce crop production
Oil spills also result in dying fish and polluted rivers and peoples livelihoods are ruined (their only income)
Spills or explosions have caused fires that ruin land and release poisonous gas
Flaring releases gas fogs and acid rain and local people claim it has caused them respiratory problems and cancer
Current cost per spillage per day is £10 million
What are the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta?
WWF classed it has 1 of the 5 most polluted areas in Earth
Gas flares give off toxic gases that damage the environment
500 million tonnes of crude oil has been lost - spillages
Oil spillage in the Ogoni River in 2001 has left the area with “dying vegetation” and “poisoned by soil turned soggy and greasy”
Who are the stakeholders involved in the oil exploitation of the Niger Delta?
Nigerian govt Oil companies Local population Local authorities Militia
What can the case study of the 3 gorges dam be used for?
Creating employment opportunities
High cost of construction
Displacement of people
Land degradation
What can the case study of the Niger delta be used for?
Encouraging economic development Increasing govt revenue Health issues from development Food insecurity (Jatropha - grown on food crop land?) Climate change and acid rain Water pollution
What can the case study of Mali be used for?
Increasing living standards (education/health care/public services)
Deforestation
