(January 1, 2009) In The World’s Water 2008-2009, the Pacific Institute’s Dr. Gleick examines the usual anticipated benefits of the Three Gorges Dam: power, navigation and flood control and the growing list of problems — serious impacts on fisheries, coastal erosion due to vastly lower sediment flow in the Yangtze, landslides, earthquakes and social unrest due to the displacement of millions of people.
Army of insects on the march
(April 23, 2006) Forestry experts are urging local authorities to monitor a potential epidemic of plant diseases and pests which could decimate the nation’s trees.
Lake pollution worsens despite cleanup
The condition of Lake Tai, one of China’s most polluted lakes, has worsened despite two years spent trying to clean it up.
Yangtze Power “profits” unhinged from Three Gorges’ spiraling environmental costs
(January 8, 2008) China’s Yangtze Power Company posted a 47 percent rise in “profit” last year, though critics, including Probe International, argue these profits would vanish if the company were forced to pay its share of the project’s rising environmental costs.
China’s bond market under new management
(December 6, 2007) Yangtze Power was not the first Chinese company to issue debt in the domestic market, but the US$540 million it raised through the sale of 10-year bonds — which started trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on October 12 — marked the dawn of what could be a dynamic new age for corporate bonds, Newsweek reports.
Flood, drought fears in a haywire climate
(February 23, 2007) China is on alert this year for the extremes of natural disasters. Water Resources Vice Minister E Jingping has warned local governments of the increasing possibility of floods in major rivers, and droughts elsewhere.
Crackdown drives illegal logging to neighboring nations
Beijing: Upon determining that deforestation was to blame for devastating flooding by the Yangtze River in 1998, which killed 2,500 people and caused billions of dollars in damage, China promptly enacted an aggressive package of measures aimed at protecting its existing forest growth, rehabilitating distressed areas and reclaiming forests that had been converted to farmland.
The Cost of Power in China
Black Opal Press September 5, 2006 This new book by photographer Steven Benson is his much acclaimed photo essay documenting the Yangtze River valley which is now under the water of the […]
Water level in Yangtze River continues to fall
(August 25, 2006) The water level in the Yangtze River’s middle and lower reaches continues to fall and is threatening navigation along the waterway.
Yangtze River suffers rare drought in flood season
(August 14, 2006) The Yangtze is in the grip of a rare drought, with water in many sections of the river at historically low levels. Navigation authorities have reinforced patrols along the waterway, warning vessels against running aground.
Drought alert for parched Sichuan
(August 14, 2006) Lack of rain and heatwave making safe drinking water scarce.
Why developing the Yangtze River has become a top priority
The development of the Yangtze, being the world’s most important cargo-carrying river, is a key part of China’s plan to develop its transport infrastructure.
Northwest may grab more Yangtze water
(August 1, 2006) China is considering a 300-billion-yuan (US$37.5 billion) plan to divert water from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to the Yellow River to help the thirsty northwestern areas.
Estuary of China’s longest river to undergo dredging
(July 25, 2006) The Yangtze River estuary will undergo its third major dredging over the next three years.
Silt at stable level on Yangtze River
(July 24, 2006) Forestry and water-control projects are helping to keep silt at a stable level on the Yangtze River, particularly near the Three Gorges dam, the official Chinese news agency says.
Patricia Adams
Dai Qing
Fan Xiao
Lawrence Solomon
Mu Lan
Probe International
Lisa Peryman
Probe Media
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