Learn mandarin - Three Gorges Project sets good example

Opinion / Liu Shinan

Three Gorges Project sets good example
By Liu Shinan (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-05-24 06:30

After 13 years of construction, the final touches were put to the
concrete structure of the Three Gorges Dam last Saturday, making a
century-old dream of the Chinese people finally come true.

Though some follow-up projects have yet to be completed, the completion
of the gigantic dam straddling across the mighty Yangtze River formally
launched the mammoth water conservancy project's three main functions:
harnessing floods, generating electricity and improving navigation on the
Yangtze.

The success of the project offers some food for thought.

At least two things deserve reflection. First, can we achieve an optimal
balance between economic development and ecological preservation? Second,
how to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various forms of
energy resources?

When the planning of the Three Gorges Project was once again raised in
the 1980s, strong objections were made which based on concerns for the
possible adverse impacts on the biological, environmental and
seismological conditions of the site and nearby regions and worries were
expressed about China's ability to finance the project.

The central government organized experts to conduct two more feasibility
studies in the 1980s on the basis of the investigations the country's
water conservancy authorities had made since the early 1950s. The studies
led to a positive conclusion.

Careful efforts were made before and during the construction of the dam
to resettle local residents, minimize the environmental impact and
guarantee the highest possible construction quality. Inspections have
found that all of these efforts were a success. Few adverse effects were
found in the three years since the reservoir began to hold water in 2003.

And the quality of the structures proved to be of the highest thanks to
careful work of its the builders. The massive dam is, for example,
without a single crack, a miracle in the history of dam architecture.

The project is a test of the Chinese people's will power and capabilities.

From the 1950s to the 1970s, China conducted many projects to "reform
nature" based on the slogan that "Man will definitely triumph over
nature." But little consideration was given to the devastating
environmental impact of the schemes. The nation was later punished by
Mother Nature: Floods, droughts, desertification and destroy of forests
plagued the country for many years.

The Three Gorges Project has set a good example for economic development.
A spirit of endeavour was maintained while work was conducted in line
with scientific laws. It indicates that there is a way to achieve a
balance between economy and the environment so long as a scientific
attitude is adopted.

Another thought the Three Gorges Project triggers is related to the use
of hydropower.

Hydropower was once thought to be the cleanest source of energy and
man-made reservoirs were built widely around the world to acquire "cheap
electricity" in the last century. But environmental campaigners have
recently spoken out against hydropower schemes, alleging that
construction of dams disrupts ecological systems, pollutes the
environment and alters seismological conditions.

This new interpretation of the use of hydropower certainly points to
great progress in mankind's understanding of its relationship with
nature. However, indiscriminate criticism of all hydropower projects is
not a scientific attitude, and neither is the blind exploitation of
hydropower which disregards the environmental consequences.

All forms of energy have drawbacks. Fossil fuels coal and petroleum
pollute the environment and add to the "greenhouse effect," and the
disposal of nuclear waste from nuclear power plants is very costly. In
comparison, hydropower is much cleaner and can be used "eternally" (or at
least for a very long time). The adverse effects it may have can be
minimized and brought under control if the project is carefully planned
and strictly observes scientific laws.

The Three Gorges Project sets a good example in this regard. The
meticulous selection of the site based on geological considerations and
the many years spent preparing the evacuation of residents and the
preservation of vegetation have helped reduce and minimize the adverse
effects.

The project's 26 sets of generators can produce 84.7 billion kilowatt
hours of electricity annually, the same as that produced by burning 50
million tons of coal. One can easily imagine what pollution would result
if the project was replaced by traditional power plants.

Email: liushinan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/24/2006 page4)

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