Indians in Brazil Protest Tapajós Dams
Mundurukú Indians made the trek to the capital of Brazil to demand the right to prior consultation in order to block the Tapajós hydroelectric dam.
China’s Great Dam Boom: A Major Assault
China is engaged in a push to build hydroelectric dams on a scale unprecedented in human history. While being touted for producing lower-emission electricity, these massive dam projects are wreaking havoc on river systems across China and Southeast Asia.
Himalayas to Become The Most Dammed Region In The World
Most of the Himalayan rivers have been relatively untouched by dams near their sources. Now the two great Asian powers, India and China, are rushing to harness them. More than 400 hydroelectric dams are planned in the mountain region, which could be a disaster for the environment.
Sediment Trapped Behind Dams Makes Them ‘Hot Spots’ for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The large reservoirs of water behind the world’s 50,000 large dams are a known source of methane. Methane has a warming effect 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. That knowledge led to questions about hydroelectric power’s image as a green and nonpolluting energy source.
Removal of Veazie Dam Begins on Maine’s Penobscot River
Removal of the Veazie Dam begins on Maine’s Penobscot River, one of the most significant river restoration projects in our country, and a wonderful example of collaboration and “win-win” solutions for the environment and economy.
Pakistan’s Coast And Encroaching Seas
Encroaching seas are leaving farmland increasingly saline and water-logged, and leading to a decline in fresh water fish stocks. These trends are being studied by the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-P) which is in the middle of a five-year project to build climate change resistance on Pakistan’s coastline, where communities are vulnerable to cyclones, rising sea levels and storm surges.
Are Humans Responsible for the Himalayan Tsunami?
For years, a booming tourist industry, made possible by thousands of illegally constructed guesthouses, has spawned massive hydroelectric power projects on the rivers, while other infrastructure development designed to accommodate hoards of visitors has proceeded at a steady clip, putting undue stress on this fragile ecological zone.
California’s Biggest Dam Removal Project in History Begins in Carmel Valley
Today marks a historic event for California rivers: the launch of the biggest dam removal project in state history. This project demonstrates the art of the possible…
Small Dams On Chinese River Harm Environment More Than Expected, study finds
A fresh look at the environmental impacts of dams on an ecologically diverse and partially protected river in China found that small dams can pose a greater threat to ecosystems and natural landscapes than large dams.