Is the Three-Gorges Dam Sustainable? LO: to Investigate How Human Activity Is Affecting the Longest River in Asia

Is the Three-Gorges dam sustainable? LO: To investigate how human activity is affecting the longest river in Asia The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia, and the third- longest in the world. It flows for 6,418 kilometres (3,988 mi) from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai Starter: What connects these images? The beginning of a river is called the source. In this case the Yangtze forms due to being fed by glaciers (huge masses rivers of ice) high up in the mountains of Tibet. October 1, 1949 – People’s Republic of China established with Mao Zedong as its first President. 1950-1955: Mao favors pro-natalistic population policy. Combined with falling death rates, it causes a large increase in population. 1958 - Mao Zedong launches the five plan dubbed "The Great Leap Forward" which collectivizes farming and new labour intensive industries are started. The plan is an economic disaster and is abandoned after only two years. 1959-1961: "Great Leap Forward" triggers largest famine in human history with an estimated 25-35 million deaths. 1970's - first attempts at state family planning programmes. These had some success and average family size fell to three children By the late 1970's, the government had adopted the slogan 'later, longer, fewer' meaning later marriages, longer gaps between children and fewer Aschildren. the river travels throughout1979-1980: Introduction of China's China strict "One-Child" it family planning program at in several provinces and in 1980 it was adopted at national level. makes1987 - the government its begins way to relax theto 'one -thechild policy' but still actively encourages small families, particularly in urban mouthareas. or end of its journey. In your books describe how the source of the River Yangtze is different to the mouth. Consider: 1) Appearance 2) Colour 3) Impact from humans How are Human’s Impacting the River? The Yangtze Dam, completed in 2008, created a vast reservoir that extends for 370 miles. The dam brings drinking water to northern China, but its widespread flooding has displaced nearly two million people. Watch the clip on the Yangtze and the impact this Dam is having on the environment. In your books find at least 2 positive and negative factors that this Dam is creating for the population who live along the Yangtze. The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest dam. It is meant to control flooding, improve navigation and to provide energy efficient China with cheap hydro electric power. The project has cost almost over $20 billion and has taken 18 years to complete, whilst forcing 1.2 million people to move home. Great doubts remain on the projects long term economic, social and environmental costs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china- 20103483 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz0jLZBkx6I Read the articles and information sheet and write the advantages in and the disadvantages in your draft book. Challenge: Can you categorise your points in social, environmental and economic effects? • The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest dam. It is meant to control flooding, improve navigation and to provide energy efficient China with cheap hydro electric power. The project has cost almost over £27 billion and has taken 18 years to complete, whilst forcing 1.25 million people to move home. They left 2 empty cities, 116 towns, and 100s of villages. They were drowned forever. Farms, family graves, and historic sites were drowned as well. People got some money for compensation but they said it was not enough. People moved to Chongqing to find work which increased the pressure on the city. • The electricity will benefit many thousands of factories, other businesses and houses. Reservoir behind the dam will allow easy navigation for Cargo. It will benefit the towns and cities near the river. • Over the centuries, flooding on the Yangtze has killed hundreds and thousands. In 1954, floods drowned over 33,000 people, and left the city of Wuhan under water for 3 months. The dam controls the flow of water. At drier times of year, downstream from the dam the river level is falling low. • Dam provides cheap hydroelectricity, no fossil fuels are burned so there is no carbon dioxide is produced. • It stops the fish and other river animals from moving freely. The rise in shipping affects them too. • Geological structure has become weak which means the area is prone to earthquakes. Weight of the rocks puts an additional strain on the rocks which can cause landslides. If the dam cracks, the rush of water downstream will cause a havoc. Reservoir may fill up with sediment which will make the river and the dam less efficient. 1) What are the differences between the mouth and source of the River Yangtze? 2) What impact is the construction of Dams having on the Yangtze River? Extension: Why is it so important that China’s looks after its rivers such as the River Yangtze? Timeline Draw a timeline of the events we have covered so far in China – This can have words or pictures Research and complete the table. To what extent China’s economic development has had positive effects on people, economy and environment? Main features Advantages Disadvantages Overall, a cause for concern score (5 out of 5 = major concern) Increasing trade Rural to urban migration Growing wealth gap Population increase and the One Child Policy Economic and industrial growth and Sustainability (inc. three gorges).

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