China warns of catastrophe from Three Gorges Dam

[jpak]

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSPEK7149620070926

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's huge Three Gorges Dam hydropower project could spark environmental catastrophe unless accumulating threats are quickly defused, senior officials and experts have warned.

The dam in southwest China, the world's biggest hydropower project, has begun generating electricity and serving as a barrier against seasonal flooding threatening lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Xinhua news agency reported late on Tuesday, citing a forum of experts and officials.

But even senior dam officials who have often defended the project as an engineering wonder and ecological boon now warn that areas around the dam are paying a heavy, potentially calamitous environmental cost.

"There exist many ecological and environmental problems concerning the Three Gorges Dam," the senior officials were quoted as saying. "If no preventive measures are taken, the project could lead to catastrophe."

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[MrModerate]

1. People fought Three Gorges for decades . . .

But the Chinese Government didn't care, because the project was going to line the pockets of its senior stakeholders. Environmental damage and wrecked livelihoods? Completely unsustainable development? Worrying about that stuff is for weenies.

Sound like any gummint you know?

[eppur_se_muova]

2. At least they are recognizing, and acknowledging, the problems ...

utterly unlike Bu**sh**co.

[hogwyld]

3. With all of these environmental issues

Is China commiting a form of suicide? They lose an estimated 300,000 per year due to the air pollution alone. Add to that the water problems of either not enough, or what's there is so polluted, it's not fit for consumption, along with the growing desert, and China may yet reap what it has sown.

[kestrel91316]

6. It's a form of population control. The one child-one family thing hasn't

worked out like they planned, you see.

[AlecBGreen]

4. Its a little late for this one...

"We cannot win passing economic prosperity at the cost of the environment."

And FYI, if this thing breaches at full capactiy, you can say goodbye to the 300 million people living in its path.

[XemaSab]

5. Didn't see THAT coming...

:eyes: