East Asia –Chapter 11

Three Gorges Dam…tremendous accomplishment or potential

disaster?

Massive scale of the project…

Where? When? Why?• Where? Along the Yangtze River – China’s

main avenue of entry into the interior & the 3rd largest river (by volume) in the world. It has been the cause of some of the most severe flooding in China’s history.

• When? Construction started in 1992; construction is completed, however, the dam is still not fully operational (relocations over in 2010).

• Why? 2 main reasons…FLOOD CONTROL & POWER GENERATION.

Facts about Hydropower

• Fast Facts

• How Stuff Works

• Trash

• Floods

Awesome accomplishment or potential disaster?

• The debate over this project focuses on its environmental (E), social (S) & economic effects ($).

• You will watch a few short clips and then read an article (online) about the topic. Take notes using the “Sorting it Out” note sheet provided. Categorize the information according to “Pro” or “Con” and then according to E, S, or $.

• HW: Tonight review the notes and write a paragraph (6-8 sentences) on the back of your note sheet stating your position. Do the potential benefits of the 3 Gorges Dam outweigh the risks/costs? Use 4 to 6 facts as supporting evidence to back your position up. Due Monday 5-12.

Why build the dam?

• HowStuffWorks "China: Three Gorges Dam"

TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT…

• 3 Gorges Dam…What is your position?

Connection between environmental problems & social conflict…