Gorges Dam

8/13/2019 Gorges Dam

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Yangtze River

Over 3,900 miles long (6,300 km). Third

longest in the world.

The land area of Yangtze river valley is

19% of the total land in China.

The total population of Yangtze River

valley is 358 million, nearly 35% of the

national population (1983).


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Three Gorges Dam Project

Located on the Sandouping, Yichang andHubei provinces.

Height: 590 feet (181 m).

Expected investment: 203.9 billionrenminbi (US$24.65 billion).


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More Facts

Number of migrants: 1.13 million. Installed power generation capacity: 18.2

million kilowatts.

Produce 84 billion kilowatt-hours annually. Functions: Flood control, power generation,

improved navigation.


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Recent History

March 1989 construction is suspended After Tiananmen Square

Public debate over dam forbidden by government

Foreign critics accused of ignorance Famous critics imprisoned

Resettlement and physical preparations begin in

1994

Government solicits technology, services, hardware andfinancing from abroad


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Construction Site


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Construction Timetable

November 1997 Yangtze River wasdiverted.

The first batch of generators will begin to

generate power in 2003. The entire project is to be completed by

2009 when all 26 generators will be able

to generate power.


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Benefits of Dam

Energy:Its 26 700-megawatt turbine generators have a

productions capacity equal to the energyproduced by 18 nuclear plants or the burning of

40 million tons of coal.Will provide energy to 60 million residents

currently without power.

Economic Growth and Development:

Provide power for economic growth.

Allows improved shipping on the Yangtze.


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Problems With Dam

Energy:Combined cycle plants are predicted to make

hydroelectric dams obsolete. They promisecomparable energy production without many of

the problems associated with dams. Economic Impact:

Relocated residents could become unemployed.

Possible the project does not have enoughfunding to be completed.


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Problems With Dam Flooding:

Critics claim The Yangtze will add 530 million tons ofsilt into the reservoir on average per year and it willsoon be useless in preventing floods.

Dam will not prevent floods on downstream tributaries.

Environmental Problems. 14,500 hectares of agricultural land will be lost.

The dam will act as a barrier causing the flow ofsediments to slow and downstream fisheries and

agriculture will be deprived of much need nutrients. The reservoir would also submerge numerous factories

that would otherwise continue to take part in Chinaseconomic growth.


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Ethical Issues

Relocation of residents

Environmental concerns

Local culture

Political corruption


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Relocation of Residents

The dam will require a 375 mile longreservoir which forces people currently

living in the area to move out.

Chinese government estimates 1.2 millionpeople will have to move, but experts

predict the real number to be between 1.6

and 1.9 million people.


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What Happens?

Some of the people are given financialcompensation and moving expenses.

Others are given either new farm land or newfactory jobs.

Much of the new farm land is barely usable and islocated on steep inclines requiring excessprecipitation.

Critique of the resettlement plans is prohibited in

the media.


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Environmental Concerns

The coastline will be eroded. The altered ecosystem will further endanger

many species.

The river, no longer free flowing, willbecome very polluted once the toxins and

pollutants are slowly released from the

cities.


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Local Culture

Will destroy 1300 archeological sites. Will flood many historical sites.

Reduce tourism.


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Application of Moral Theories

Utilitarianism

Kant

Cultural Relativism


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Utilitarianism


Happiness of 15 million people downstream

outweighs possible unhappiness of about 1.2million upstream.

Environmental concerns

It depends.

Water pollution vs. electricity.

Fish and other animals could decrease inpopulation.


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Utilitarianism

Local culture

Happiness would decrease

because the Chinese governmentwill not be able to save all of the

historical and archeological sites.

Political corruptionHappiness decreases

because they are losing

funds.


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Kant

Relocation of residentsHuman rights of relocated people violated.

Are not treated as autonomous beings.

Environmental concernsPersonal rights could be violated by

increased water pollution.


Apply categorical imperativewould not

want everyone to be corrupt.


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Cultural Relativism


Since the Chinese government is different than

ours, it may be okay to move people withouttheir consent.


Bribery and selling jobs may be the way thegovernment operates, however embezzlement

has a negative effect on the culture.


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Should Project Be Completed?

UtilitarianismYes, overall happiness of people with flood

control and electricity will outweigh the

unhappiness of those affected negatively.

Kant

No, because peoples rights are violated without

adequate compensation.

Cultural RelativismYes, would improve economy and prestige for

China.


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The End

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Gorges Dam