Why could Chinas Three Gorges Dam cause an environmental disaster?
Is it a feat of modern engineering, or an environmental disaster in the making? China’s Three Gorges Dam project has the potential to be both, depending on whether you talk to government officials or environmentalists. According to the Chinese government, Three Gorges is the solution to two of the country’s biggest problems — flood control and energy production. Yet many scientists say the dam could have devastating implications, including water pollution, earthquakes, landslides and the destruction of natural species and historical sites. Three Gorges is an engineering marvel. When fully constructed and operational in 2009, it will surpass
