The Iguacu Dam in Brazil and global hydropower development
Like all power generation projects hydroelectric dams present a both a number of challenges and advantages. It is easy to see the temptation of building hydroelectric dams as one mega can provide electricity to millions of homes. However, these project often require to flooding of area that usually home to human settlements. As is the case most major dam projects require displacement of many people. In additionally, hydro dams often have major environmental impacts despite being touted “clean form” of generation.
One dam that shows both the promise pearl of hydro electric dams is the Itaipu dam constructed in Brazilian state of Iguacu during the mid 1975. The dam site was chosen for high potential to generate electricity and relatively sparse population. Has met it promise to provide Brazil with massive amount of electricity however, it also came with massive momentary, human, and environmental .The dam resulted in displacement of over 40,000 once lived in one flooded area. In addition dam floored thousands of aches of once pristine forest resulted in extinction of some species located in the flooded area.
However, these pail in comparison to the Three Gores Dam in China which caused the displacement of 1 million people. Even modest compensation to ever person effected by a project that size make the cost the dam huge. Sadly to full compensation would most likely make the project not economically viable. So it should not surprise when hear story Chinese peasant who feel they did receive the full value for their land. The video below discusses the hardships faced Chinese peasant displaced the massive dam. Instance a man beat by government official after inquiring lack compensation for his displacement(BBC).
These dams can also many environmental impacts well. Even thought the Itapua undertook a number step reduce environmental impact the dam resulted in the extinction of many species. In addition, while dams are claimed to low carbon impact dam construction often result in release methane and in the end dams can emit just as much green house gases tradition fuel fusels. These challenge are unique Itapua. Belo Monte Dam is another major dam built in Brazil that caused the loss many species with relatively high carbon impact. The video below disuses the environmental impacts of Belo Monte dam which is similar in size to Itapua.
Work cited:
"[Channel 4 News] China's Three Gorges Dam Project." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Defending the Rivers of the Amazon, with Sigourney Weaver." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
"[Channel 4 News] China's Three Gorges Dam Project." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.
Defending the Rivers of the Amazon, with Sigourney Weaver." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 31 Dec. 2014.