Dam It All

The Chinese have succeeded in blocking the Yangtze River so that they can harness its flow to generate hydro-electricity. Isn't it strange, however, that whenever human beings require more "energy," the solutions usually involve the destruction (dams) or plunder (forests) or destruction (fossil fuels) of Mother Earth? Our appetite in this regard shows little sign of diminishing in the foreseeable future.

China's controversial Three Gorges Dam project hits a significant milestone on Saturday, when it is expected to reach its final height of 185m (607 feet). But it will not be fully operational until 2009.
-BBC


The primary aims of the dam are to alleviate flooding on the Yangtze River and generate power. Fourteen turbine generator units are already in operation. -BBC


And then there's all those displaced peasants.
But how can peasants trump Progress on the march?

At least 1 million people are being relocated to make way for the project. -BBC