The Three Gorges Dam, China

Question 1

Benefits of the dam

Answer 1

Energy production
Reduce GHG emissions
Increase Yangtze river’s shipping capacity
Reduce potential for floods downstream

Question 2

Environmental negatives of the dam

Answer 2

Submerged factories, mines and waste dumps = polluted water
Heavy metal pollution
Biodiversity threat due to flooding and water diversion
Increased risk of landslides

Question 3

Social negatives of the dam

Answer 3

Flooded archaeological and cultural sites
Snail fever - dam increased the snail’s habitat and infection risk
1.3 mn people displaced
- socioeconomically vulnerable
- compensation inadequate and doesn’t reach due to corruption
- farmers with little/no formal education = poor social mobility with cities

Question 4

State Council plans to mitigate harms (?)

Answer 4

2011
Improve water quality
Reinforce levees
Stabilise river flow
Est. cost = $millions

Question 5

Decision making process

Answer 5

Funded by international and domestic companies and banks

Non-participatory; top-down