(August 18, 2011) “The Yangtze River will run dry” because engineers have gone wild, building so many dams that the amount of water needed to fill all the reservoirs along the Yangtze would exceed the flow of the river. So says “A Mighty River Runs Dry,” a new study by geologist Fan Xiao of the Sichuan Geology and Mineral Bureau in China. Because there isn’t enough water in the Yangtze to fill all the dams to their designed capacity during the impoundment period each year, “an enormous waste of money” will result, with potentially staggering losses to China’s economy, 40 per cent of which comes from agriculture, fishing, industry and shipping along the Yangtze.
Pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi urges Burma to save the Irrawaddy
(August 16, 2011) Burma’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for a reassessment of Burma’s massive 6,000 MW Irrawaddy Myitsone dam project.
Yangtze fishermen take a hit
(July 29, 2011) Since the construction of the Gezhouba and Three Gorges dams, Yangtze River’s fish stocks have been declining. The government’s solution – the “Fisherman on Land” program – has forced “boat families,” who once earned a living from the fish bounty of the Yangtze, to move ashore and find work in factories.
Dai Qing barred from writers’ meeting
(July 23, 2011) Dai Qing was among several writers blocked from attending a discussion on free expression held by the international writers’ group, PEN, in Beijing.
Yangtze fish take a hit
(July 19, 2011) China’s weekly newspaper, the Economic Observer, says the Three Gorges dam is the primary reason for the demise of the Yangtze’s “big four” fish species. By changing the hydrological regime downstream of the dam, the fry population of the black, grass, silver, and bighead carp have plummeted by 97%. Attempts to simulate the original hydrological conditions with forced water releases and restocking the river with broodstock will be futile say experts.
China human rights and Canadian companies
(July 4, 2011) Probe International’s Patricia Adams joined a Business News Network (BNN) panel to discuss the dangers of corporations wishing to do business in China given its poor human rights record.
Face changing sea
(June 29, 2011) Rongcheng is one of China’s loveliest cities, surrounded by both the Yellow and Bhai seas. When writer Yang Furui pays a visit, he finds economic gains have taken a severe toll on not only Rongcheng’s seashore, but China’s southeastern shoreline in general.
China’s admission spotlights Three Gorges woes
(June 29, 2011) The recent drought and the government’s mea culpa have refocused attention on problems at China’s controversial Three Gorges Dam. “The dam is becoming a symbol of all that is wrong with political decision-making in China,” says Patricia Adams of Probe International.
China’s Great Dam a threat to millions in India
(June 24, 2011) Mumbai: According to a high level meeting held at Beijing in January 2010, China has made plans to achieve leapfrogging development and lasting stability in the Tibet Autonomous Region in a bid to ensure China’s development as a whole.
At the Water’s Edge
(June 22, 2011) The ongoing drought in Southern China is pitting massive hydropower plans against flood management authorities – and creating a standoff with millions of livelihoods at stake.
Mao Yushi’s economic criticism of Three Gorges Dam
(June 20, 2011) Economist Mao Yushi’s criticism of the Three Gorges Dam in Dai Qing’s 1988 Yangtze! Yangtze! proves accurate more than two decades later in the wake of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s acknowledgement of problems.
Sinohydro denies Malaysian dam unsafe
(June 20, 2011) The practice of adding excessive water to cement – regarded as unsafe by the construction industry – was endemic in the building of Malaysia’s biggest dam, a new exposé claims.
China 3 Gorges Corp. defends huge dam from critics
The operator of China’s gargantuan Three Gorges Dam is defending it from deepening criticism over its environmental and economic impact.
Lu Qinkan’s Three Gorges warnings were unheeded, dire consequences now toll
(June 16, 2011) Lu Qinkan warned against construction of the Three Gorges Dam. Now his predictions have come to pass as the Yangtze river basin lurches from floods to drought.
Embarrassment as Three Gorges wins award
(June 16, 2011) From “monstrous” to “outstanding quality,” China’s Three Gorges dam wins the National Quality Investment Award despite admissions of problems by Premier Wen Jiabao.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
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