World Water Forum Breaks Down Dam Impacts
Posted by David Robinson in Water Currents on March 19, 2012 National Geographic
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/03/19/world-water-forum-study-breaks-down-impacts-of-dams/
Picture: I chose this picture because it shows what it means to build a dam, and how it could effect the surrounding area/place it is built. Building dams requires destroying the surrounding area by digging and destroying animal's habitats.
Summary: In the 1990's, the construction of dams dropped due to the fact that dams have a large environmental and social impact. Now these monsters are now beginning to become more common in countries that are struggling for water and electricity. One new study released at the 6th World Water Forum in Marsielle shows the impacts of 6 dams built in West Africa. The study shows that the dams bring more stress for locals then relief, though they may not have to rely on other countries for energy sources, dams have such a large environmental impact that natives aren't able to adjust to the change. Environmental impacts include loss of fish population, flooding, and also causes poor harvests. Countering these negative impacts are the positive, such as how dams create economic opportunities and jobs. Though dams seem to bring more negative side effects than positive, governments are looking to help citizens receive the benefits from the dams (such as irrigation for crops and electricity)
Reaction: When I saw this article, I like how it relates to our new topic (the hydrosphere) and the topic in my Global Studies class (Africa). After reading the article, It helped me understand dams more, because even though I know what they are, I don't believe I've actually seen one in person! The only time i've seen one is in the movie Evan Almighty. The dams seem pretty harmful from an environmental point of view. The builders of these dams basically destroy their surroundings before they are able to do any good, such as bring power and help irrigate farmer's crops.
Questions:
1. Do you believe more Dams should be built in the US? Why or why not?
2. What are some other ways water can provide energy for certain countries(other devices that convert water into energy) ? What are they and where/when they have they been used
3. Do you believe the possible destruction of the environment is worth receiving cheaper energy? (rephrase: Do you believe the benefits of building dams outweigh the risks? Why or why not?)
Opinion/Reflection
ReplyDeleteLike Dianna, I don't believe I've ever seen a dam in person, and I definitely never realized how harmful they could be to the environment! I don't think it ever occured to me that in order for a dam to be built, the natural environment surrounding it could possibly be destroyed. Even though they help provide alternate sources of energy, they create massive drains on the surrounding environment.
"Do you believe more Dams should be built in the US? Why or why not?"
I don't believe the US should build more dams unless absolutely, completely necessary. There are better sources of alternate energy that aren't as environmentally dangerous. Things like windmills, and solar panels could be used instead to provide alternate sources of energy. I don't believe that endangering many natural environments is worth building more dams.
Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really interesting topic. There are two clear sides of the story and good points to go along with each of them. If you do not build a dam, it could harm irragation. It could also cause bad floods. If you do build a dam, then there are bad enviromnental issues. If I were to choose a side I would choose to cuild a dam because I'd rather find other animals to eat then have my house flooded.
Question one:
I do not think the United States needs anymore dams. I have not heard about bad floodings recently, although I don't really watch the news. If there happens to be bad floodings going on then we should build a dam. There is no point putting the money into a huge dam unles it is necessary.
Opinion/Reflection
ReplyDeleteYou would never think that something as beneficial as building a dam could actually be so harmful! Building a dam used to mean more resourceful energy, a better economy, and solutions to flooding. When these dams are abandoned, the impacts that they leave in their trails are awful. Also, I do not quite understand how the natives cannot get used to having a dam in their local community. Dams are supposed to be positive! I do agree with the fact that building dams takes animals’ habitats away from them, and that is not fair. When habitats are taken away from the animals, then the whole ecosystem changes. Humans never meant for THAT to happen.
Do you believe the possible destruction of the environment is worth receiving cheaper energy?
Of course not! There are plenty of ways to obtain energy, not just through hydro-power! The Earth has gifted us so many ways to receive its energy. There is nothing that we need to harm in order to receive it! If building dams does mess up ecosystems and startle its village members, then maybe we should just find another way!
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteI was really happy that Dianna chose to do this article. Most of us have known what a dam was for quite a while, but i can say i have personally only known the positive side of dams. It never occurred to me that dams could be negative (but i am starting to relize there is almost always a positive and a negative). Although we are not yet into the hydrosphere unit, this reminds me of what we are doing in class, but kind of the opposite. The controversy of human overpopulation, like damns, has negatives and positives. When i first hear the word dam i would normally get a positive reaction (although this might have changed after reading the article), but when I hear the words human overpopulation I get a negative feeling. I am starting to understand why it is so important to research and understand both the positive and negative viewpoints of a situation.
other questions:
Is there a "best" way to receive alternative energy?
How many dams do we have in the US?
Would you rather have dams (with all the risks) or no alternative energy at all?
If dams were gotten rid of, will humans along with the environment will suffer?