EIA Case Study - Three Gorges Dam,
Yangtze River, China
1. The dam has been operating since 2009, and as well as the extinction of the Chinese
river dolphin other environmental impacts have resulted from it. Research some of these
and try to assess the value of the EIA that was made.
The project has threatened not just animal species, but also over 57 plant species.
The Yangtze River's fish population has also declined. This is owing to the river's and
surrounding lakes' lower levels. Those species that have been decreased are
extremely rare, and the loss of so many of them is unimaginable. Even if the energy
produced has been highly environmentally friendly, I do not believe it is worth
damaging plant and animal habitats, which might eventually lead to their extinction.
2. Summarize the environmental costs and social benefits of the Three Gorges Dam
project.
The project's societal advantages include the fact that the energy generated is
sustainable and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from other energy sources. The
environmental consequences include a reduction in the population of animals and
plants as well as the destruction of their natural habitat. There has also been a social
impact, which is a shift in the way of life for the people that live nearby, forcing them to
adjust to new methods of generating food and money.
3. Evaluate the overall usefulness of the EIA.
The energy produced is sustainable and accounts for one-eighth of the total energy
required to feed China. It has also reduced flood control to a negligible extent. The
area around the project has seen increased economic growth. It has decreased
carbon dioxide emissions caused by energy generation.
4. Using this example, highlight and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of EIAs.
The advantages of EIAs include that when a project is being evaluated, an EIA may
examine the beneficial impacts on the environment while also taking into account the
negative implications. When the information is ready, everything should be thoroughly
considered before making the best option for the environment. The shortcomings
include that no one can ever estimate all of the environmental costs, as some may
emerge during development or years after the project is completed. They might be
worse and not balanced sufficiently by the good consequences, but it will be too late
because the initiative would have become a reality.
Yangtze River, China
1. The dam has been operating since 2009, and as well as the extinction of the Chinese
river dolphin other environmental impacts have resulted from it. Research some of these
and try to assess the value of the EIA that was made.
The project has threatened not just animal species, but also over 57 plant species.
The Yangtze River's fish population has also declined. This is owing to the river's and
surrounding lakes' lower levels. Those species that have been decreased are
extremely rare, and the loss of so many of them is unimaginable. Even if the energy
produced has been highly environmentally friendly, I do not believe it is worth
damaging plant and animal habitats, which might eventually lead to their extinction.
2. Summarize the environmental costs and social benefits of the Three Gorges Dam
project.
The project's societal advantages include the fact that the energy generated is
sustainable and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from other energy sources. The
environmental consequences include a reduction in the population of animals and
plants as well as the destruction of their natural habitat. There has also been a social
impact, which is a shift in the way of life for the people that live nearby, forcing them to
adjust to new methods of generating food and money.
3. Evaluate the overall usefulness of the EIA.
The energy produced is sustainable and accounts for one-eighth of the total energy
required to feed China. It has also reduced flood control to a negligible extent. The
area around the project has seen increased economic growth. It has decreased
carbon dioxide emissions caused by energy generation.
4. Using this example, highlight and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of EIAs.
The advantages of EIAs include that when a project is being evaluated, an EIA may
examine the beneficial impacts on the environment while also taking into account the
negative implications. When the information is ready, everything should be thoroughly
considered before making the best option for the environment. The shortcomings
include that no one can ever estimate all of the environmental costs, as some may
emerge during development or years after the project is completed. They might be
worse and not balanced sufficiently by the good consequences, but it will be too late
because the initiative would have become a reality.
