A generation that helped build dams across China and clear its land for Mao Zedong’s revolution, has stopped to examine the environmental consequences of past actions. Highlighted in this report for the Far Eastern Economic Review, academics Lin Pei and Shen Zhaoli say a feat of social engineering unparalleled in human history and several hundred years is needed to reverse the damage done. But the report cautions, criticizing the government too harshly can lead to jail, as opponents of the country’s Three Gorges dam have discovered.
Yangtze water diversion scheme will impact environment
(September 17, 2001) Commenting on an official assessment of a controversial scheme to divert water from the Yangtze River Basin to northern China, the Vice-Minister of Water Resources, Suo Linseng, admitted to Xinhua news agency yesterday that there would be “some impact on the natural environment,” reports South China Morning Post.
Minister’s response to PI Aug. 28 letter
Minister’s response to PI Aug. 28 letter
(October 10, 2001) Letter in response to PI’s concern about the Canadian International Development Agency’s (CIDA) role in the Challilo Dam project that is under consideration by the Government of Belize.
Pool system may force Egat to delay purchasing power
(October 5, 2001) Nam Theun 2 Project could face financial doubts.
12 killed by floodwater after dam collapses in heavy rains
(October 5, 2001) Heavy rains caused a dam to collapse in southwest China, unleashing waters from a reservoir that killed 12 people and left 13 missing, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Opposition MP Svend Robinson expresses concern over CIDA’s involvement with Fortis, Inc.
(October 4, 2001) CIDA must make public its assessment of the impact of the dam and should not allow the project to continue if it does not meet Canadian environmental standards.
Dam wall rises over Mekong neighbours’ objections
(October 3, 2001) As dams go, the one rising across the remote gorge in Yunnan province is not large. When it is finished in December, the 30-storey wall of concrete will hold a narrow, 88km-long reservoir that will take just five days to fill. But critics worry about the Dachaoshan dam’s location on the Mekong River, a source of food and livelihood for 60 million people downstream in Southeast Asia.
A river in Belize runs through Newfoundland: Challilo Part 3
(October 3, 2001) Listen: Radio program in real audio on internet Chalillo Part 3 Audio file Alder Institute Audio Archive
The 1970 Indonesian Debt Accord
(October 1, 2001) This paper describes the development of the 1970 Indonesian debt accord. Besides the description the text focuses not only on the economic variables but also considers the relevant political circumstances as well.
Eminent Chinese Hydrologist Dies at 90
(Fall/ Winter 2001) Huang Wanli was involved with many of the major water resources engineering projects in China during the last half of the twentieth century.
Yellow River water sources drying up
BILL C-31: AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXPORT DEVELOPMENT ACT AND TO MAKE CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
(September 28, 2001) BILL C-31: AN ACT TO AMEND THE EXPORT DEVELOPMENT ACT AND TO MAKE CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ACTS
A river in Belize runs through Newfoundland: Challilo Part 2
(Sember 26, 2001) Listen: Radio program in real audio on internet Chalillo Part 2 Audio file Alder Institute Audio Archive
Three Gorges reservoir to get billion-dollar cleanup
(September 25, 2001) An inside source reports the Chinese government is planning to channel a budget of US$2.5 billion to help treat water pollution in the Three Gorges reservoir over a 10-year period. Since the reservoir is expected to be filled by 2003, nearby work sites slated for flooding, such as factories, mines and hospitals – at risk from poisons kept on the premises – will be cleaned up first.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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