Global Issues
Conflict and Cooperation
1. Define gorge (n.)
http://www.pbs.org/pov/uptheyangtze/trailer.php#.USV-ZDeDxjh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z9K82ZVdMA
http://www.pbs.org/pov/uptheyangtze/video_classroom2.php#.USV6vDeDxjg
BACKGROUND: In 1994, the Chinese government began construction on the Three Gorges Dam. At
1.4 miles long and 630 feet high (roughly the height of a 50-story building), it is the world's largest dam.
It will produce a giant lake, or reservoir, 350 miles long and hold more than a trillion gallons of water.
This massive effort will allow the government to control the river's chronic flooding, which caused more
than 2,000 deaths in 1998 and left nearly 14 million people homeless. In addition, ocean vessels will be
able to travel farther inland, which will boost trade and tourism, and hydroelectric power from the dam
will generate inexpensive electricity, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions and the use of coal and
fossil fuels. These benefits come with a price tag of about $24 billion. In addition, as the waters rise
behind the dam, approximately 2 million people have been forced to relocate.
www.cnn.com
afe.easia.columbia.edu
Although the government provided assistance with resettlement, there have been reports of inadequate
housing, lack of economic opportunity for farmers resettled in urban areas, unfair compensation for
property losses, and pockets of poor people who lacked funds to move and were left behind to fend for
themselves. Further, the rising waters are burying the ruins of ancient settlements and historic shrines,
thereby destroying some of China's heritage. The project has also sparked criticism from
environmentalists who argue that some of the country's richest farmland will be destroyed along with
important animal and plant habitats. There are also concerns that the project will increase erosion
downstream, change the ecosystem of the East China Sea and contaminate drinking water supplies.
Despite the controversies, progress on the Three Gorges Dam continues. The reservoir was completed in
2006 and should reach its target depth by the end of 2008. The dam is scheduled to be completely finished
in 2009. (pbs.org)
Take a look at http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/google_map_three_gorges.htm
Global Issues
Conflict and Cooperation
Global issues and local solutions: When we study issues and solutions there those who benefit
and those who are harmed, they will have very different PERSPECTIVES. We must consider
who are the ‘winners and losers:
“Who benefits?” these are the winners.
“Who is hurt?” these are losers.
2. What are the problems (issues) that China is trying to solve with the Three Gorges dam?
3. The winners and losers will naturally be in conflict. List the winners and losers on the graphic
below.
(Perspective)
4. Describe and explain: who is in conflict i.e. which groups of people might want or not want the
dam? Why?
5. Give examples of cooperation i.e. how did the government try and overcome the conflict? Add text
to the graphic below.
(Perspective and Cooperation) - How can we make the world a better place for everyone?
6. Now that you know the problems, can you think of solutions to support the ‘losers’ in this
situation?