The Yangtze River Dam is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and was the first of its kind to be built in the Nanjing region of China. Standing tall at 185 metres, the Yangtze River Dam is a symbol of post-industrial development and economic modernisation in the People’s Republic of China. The dam was built as part of the Three Gorges Dam project, initiated in 1992 and completed in 2009. The dam and the associated Three Gorges Reservoir are the largest hydroelectric power project on the planet and generate an estimated 16,500-megawatt of hydropower.
In the year 1958, the Chinese Communist party authorised the initial planning phase of the Yangtze River Dam, and the project was finally completed in 2009 after seven years of exhaustive work by the people of the Chinese nation. Construction of the dam had been going on for decades, and in terms of timeline it began from the early twentieth century, when Liang Qichao and Sun Yat-sen proposed that a hydroelectric dam should be built on the Yangtze River.
The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia, stretching an impressive 6,380 kilometres and is the third-longest in the world. The dam’s construction was necessary in order to manage the huge variations in flow on the river. During the rainy season, the river carries more than thirty times more water than during the dry season.
The most troublesome aspect of the Yangtze River Dam’s construction was the massive upheaval it caused to the environment, ecology and society of the local region. During its seven year construction, over one million inhabitants were displaced and 350 miles of the natural landscape were submerged and lost. Furthermore, the dam has resulted in an increased sediment and erosion in the river, which has caused a decrease in the water quality of the Yangtze River and surrounding areas. Naturally, this has resulted in an ecological backlash; many animals, plants and fish species have been impacted, with increases in algal blooms and decreases in biodiversity reported.
The government of China has also recognised these problems, carrying out over 300 projects at a total cost of over $27 billion to counteract the changes caused by the Yangtze River dam. Although it experienced some severe setbacks, the dam still stands as a powerful reminder of human resourcefulness and the capacity of our species to create something so large and momentous.
Impact of the Yangtze River Dam on Economy
The Yangtze River dam has had an immense impact on the economy of the region, both positively and negatively. On the one hand, the dam has enabled China to increase its electrical power capacity by around 17.5%. This has led to an increase in energy efficiency, reducing the cost of energy production and providing an economic advantage both in terms of energy costs and investment in infrastructure.
On the other hand, the construction of the Yangtze River Dam has caused a huge influx of people into the area, which has caused a severe strain on the region’s resources. Food and housing have been in short supply for many years due to the rapid population growth, leading to an increase in prices for basic necessities. This has caused a great deal of hardship for the local people, many of whom have been forced to move out of the area in search of employment elsewhere.
The government of China has also been investing billions of dollars into infrastructure development in the region, in an effort to make up for the disruption caused by the dam. New roads and bridges have been constructed, while other public transportation options have been improved to accommodate the new population influx.
Overall, the Yangtze River Dam has been an immense financial and engineering feat for the people of China, and the associated infrastructure has driven much of the development of the region in the last decade.
Environmental Impact of the Yangtze River Dam
As mentioned, the construction of the Yangtze River Dam had a number of impacts on the environment. The displacement of more than one million people, the altering of river flows and the increase in sediment and erosion in the river have all had repercussions on the local ecology. Furthermore, due to the dropped water levels, two large floods were observed in the years 2007 and 2008, leading to the displacement of over 3.7 million people.
The environmental problems caused by the dam are numerous, with drastic decreases in biodiversity and traditional habitats throughout the region being reported. The dam’s construction has also caused an increase in algal blooms in the river and its tributaries, leading to a decrease in waterfowl numbers and disruption of the local fishing industry. As a result, the local population has had to adjust to the new environment, transitioning from a largely agrarian society to a technologically advanced one.
The government of China has tried to address many of the environmental concerns raised by the dam, introducing a number of new policies, regulations and initiatives. Through these, the government has tried to restore many of the habitats, marine life, and bird life that were affected by the dam’s construction, as well as creating new opportunities such as renewable energy and ecological tourism.
Although there are still a number of environmental issues concerning the Yangtze River dam, its construction has been an immense project that has yielded both positive and negative effects on the local environment, economics and society.
Political and Social Impacts of the Yangtze River Dam
The construction of the Yangtze River dam has had numerous political, social and cultural implications for the People’s Republic of China. The mass displacement of more than one million people has disrupted traditional lifestyles and cultures, with many people leaving their homes in search of new opportunities in the cities. This has led to an increase in urban migration and an associated growth in instable informal settlements, as well as greater social stratification.
Politically, the construction of the dam has been fiercely contested for a number of reasons. The monopoly of power held by the Three Gorges Project Corporation, its problematic relationship with the local governments, and its human rights record have all been criticised. As such, the dam has become a symbol of political tension in the region, with international organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International claiming that more could be done to protect the rights of those affected by the project.
Additionally, the local people have had to adjust to increased surveillance and control, as the dam construction was accompanied by a new wave of censorship, political indoctrination and surveillance. Political meetings and public speeches were banned and aggressive campaigns were implemented to ‘educate’ the population.
The political, social and cultural impacts of the Yangtze River dam are far-reaching and complex, and the project has had a profound impact on the region and its people. If anything, it highlights the importance of taking into account the needs and wishes of the local population when embarking on large-scale infrastructure projects of this kind.
Effects of the Yangtze River Dam on Public Health
The construction of the Yangtze River dam has also had implications for public health in the area, leading to the spread of diseases that were previously unknown to the region. Overcrowded living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and insufficient sanitation have all exacerbated the spread of infectious diseases, with reports of increased cases of malaria, hepatitis, and skin and respiratory ailments amongst the local population. Additionally, the spread of waterborne illneses is said to have increased, as the river water has become more polluted due to erosion, sedimentation and algal blooms.
The government of China has recognised the impact of the dam on public health, introducing a number of healthcare initiatives and programmes to address the issue. For instance, the government has provided medical care and relief to those affected by diseases and illnesses, as well as making provisions to improve living standards and sanitation in the area.
Overall, the construction of the Yangtze River dam has had both positive and negative effects on public health in the area. Although it has enabled improvements in living conditions and access to healthcare, the spread of diseases has meant that a large proportion of the population remain vulnerable to infectious illnesses.
Intergenerational Impacts of the Yangtze River Dam
The long-term impact of the Yangtze River dam cannot be overstated. In addition to the immediate impacts on the environment and society of the region, the dam has also had long-term implications for the generations to come. Millions of people have been forced to relocate, leading to an increased reliance on the government to provide basic needs. This has resulted in a greater loss of autonomy, as people are no longer able to rely on their own resources and skills, but instead have to accept the help of the state.
Moreover, the cultural landscape of the region has been drastically altered, with traditional lifestyles and customs being largely wiped out. Although the government of China has tried to preserve certain aspects of the culture, such as festivals, folktales and songs, the transition from a traditional rural society to an urban one has been significant and has had implications for future generations.
The Yangtze River dam has also had implications for intergenerational equity; the burden of the costs of the dam falls primarily on the younger generations. Despite this, they are left with few, if any, benefits. In addition, the environmental impact of the dam is likely to be felt in the coming decades and centuries. For instance, the massive amounts of sediment set loose by the dam will require years of hard work and investment to remove and undo the damage caused.
It is clear that the construction of the Yangtze River dam has had a long-lasting impact not only on a local, but global scale. Its effects will be felt for generations, for better or for worse.
