Post on 04-Jun-2018
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Yangtze River
Over 3,900 miles long (6,300 km). Third
longest in the world.
The land area of Yangtze river valley is
19% of the total land in China.
The total population of Yangtze River
valley is 358 million, nearly 35% of the
national population (1983).
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Three Gorges Dam Project
Located on the Sandouping, Yichang andHubei provinces.
Height: 590 feet (181 m).
Expected investment: 203.9 billionrenminbi (US$24.65 billion).
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More Facts
Number of migrants: 1.13 million. Installed power generation capacity: 18.2
million kilowatts.
Produce 84 billion kilowatt-hours annually. Functions: Flood control, power generation,
improved navigation.
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Recent History
March 1989 construction is suspended After Tiananmen Square
Public debate over dam forbidden by government
Foreign critics accused of ignorance Famous critics imprisoned
Resettlement and physical preparations begin in
1994
Government solicits technology, services, hardware andfinancing from abroad
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Construction Site
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Construction Timetable
November 1997 Yangtze River wasdiverted.
The first batch of generators will begin to
generate power in 2003. The entire project is to be completed by
2009 when all 26 generators will be able
to generate power.
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Benefits of Dam
Energy:Its 26 700-megawatt turbine generators have a
productions capacity equal to the energyproduced by 18 nuclear plants or the burning of
40 million tons of coal.Will provide energy to 60 million residents
currently without power.
Economic Growth and Development:
Provide power for economic growth.
Allows improved shipping on the Yangtze.
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Problems With Dam
Energy:Combined cycle plants are predicted to make
hydroelectric dams obsolete. They promisecomparable energy production without many of
the problems associated with dams. Economic Impact:
Relocated residents could become unemployed.
Possible the project does not have enoughfunding to be completed.
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Problems With Dam Flooding:
Critics claim The Yangtze will add 530 million tons ofsilt into the reservoir on average per year and it willsoon be useless in preventing floods.
Dam will not prevent floods on downstream tributaries.
Environmental Problems. 14,500 hectares of agricultural land will be lost.
The dam will act as a barrier causing the flow ofsediments to slow and downstream fisheries and
agriculture will be deprived of much need nutrients. The reservoir would also submerge numerous factories
that would otherwise continue to take part in Chinaseconomic growth.
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Ethical Issues
Relocation of residents
Environmental concerns
Local culture
Political corruption
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Relocation of Residents
The dam will require a 375 mile longreservoir which forces people currently
living in the area to move out.
Chinese government estimates 1.2 millionpeople will have to move, but experts
predict the real number to be between 1.6
and 1.9 million people.
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What Happens?
Some of the people are given financialcompensation and moving expenses.
Others are given either new farm land or newfactory jobs.
Much of the new farm land is barely usable and islocated on steep inclines requiring excessprecipitation.
Critique of the resettlement plans is prohibited in
the media.
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Environmental Concerns
The coastline will be eroded. The altered ecosystem will further endanger
many species.
The river, no longer free flowing, willbecome very polluted once the toxins and
pollutants are slowly released from the
cities.
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Local Culture
Will destroy 1300 archeological sites. Will flood many historical sites.
Reduce tourism.
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Application of Moral Theories
Utilitarianism
Kant
Cultural Relativism
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Utilitarianism
Relocation of residents
Happiness of 15 million people downstream
outweighs possible unhappiness of about 1.2million upstream.
Environmental concerns
It depends.
Water pollution vs. electricity.
Fish and other animals could decrease inpopulation.
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Utilitarianism
Local culture
Happiness would decrease
because the Chinese governmentwill not be able to save all of the
historical and archeological sites.
Political corruptionHappiness decreases
because they are losing
funds.
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Kant
Relocation of residentsHuman rights of relocated people violated.
Are not treated as autonomous beings.
Environmental concernsPersonal rights could be violated by
increased water pollution.
Political corruption
Apply categorical imperativewould not
want everyone to be corrupt.
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Cultural Relativism
Relocation of residents
Since the Chinese government is different than
ours, it may be okay to move people withouttheir consent.
Political corruption
Bribery and selling jobs may be the way thegovernment operates, however embezzlement
has a negative effect on the culture.
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Should Project Be Completed?
UtilitarianismYes, overall happiness of people with flood
control and electricity will outweigh the
unhappiness of those affected negatively.
Kant
No, because peoples rights are violated without
adequate compensation.
Cultural RelativismYes, would improve economy and prestige for
China.
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The End
Thanks for listening.
Any Questions?