GRK has always advocated that hydro dams are are unnecessary and harmful. This article presents some interesting thoughts about social and cultural impacts of dams. While the paper discusses the dam development in other countries, it reinforces the concerns about the Muskrat Falls Dam especially when added to the Upper Churchill one and possibly Gull Island.
Article contributed by Emilio F. Moran, September 25, 2018 (sent for review July 27, 2018; reviewed by Carlos A. Nobre and Nigel John Smith) Author contributions: E.F.M., M.C.L., N. Moore, N. Müller, and D.W.H. designed research;
Click here for full article
Excerpts that resonate with GRK and the Labrador Land Protectors:
“Millions of people worldwide are affected by dam construction either because they are permanently resettled due to the filling of the reservoirs or because their livelihoods get disrupted with the construction and operation of the dam (86). However, there do not seem to be mechanisms to fully compensate them for their losses (99). People who are displaced often get an undervalued price for their land or buildings that does not consider the social, cultural, and religious value of their land or the way that people make their livelihoods on the land or the stretch of river (96, 100, 102). In addition, it does not consider that, after resettlement, people often lose their social networks and other types of social wealth, which has economic, cultural, social, and health consequences (86, 99). Communities that are not displaced, like those that are downstream, generally do not get any compensation…”
Role of Governance in Hydropower’s Sustainability
Whether in the Amazon, the Congo, or the Mekong, the most overlooked dimension of hydropower projects is the effects on local social systems and institutions (84, 86, 87). Local communities typically do not have a significant say in hydropower development (88, 89). This results in a decoupling of decision making that can result in local priorities being overlooked and the interests of urban industrial sectors driving decisions.
Often, large dams are promoted with the idea that locals will gain some benefits out of them. However, the evidence suggests otherwise. A recent study using a database of 220 dam-related conflicts found that, in dams surrounded by controversies and conflict, the use of repression, criminalization, violent targeting of activists, and assassinations was common (92). This is a result of a failure of the hydropower sector to address governance and sustainability issues.
This was certainly the case here in Labrador. GrandRiverKeeper Labrador and the Labrador Land Protectors were strong opponents of the Muskrat Falls Project, fighting long and hard to protect our river. sadly, to no avail against corporate interests. These actions resulted in court charges and even jail time for some members, including Jim Learning, our strong and highly-esteemed leader.
_______________________________________________________
Mega Dams create MEGA DAMAGE! Are you concerned about the Grand River and the impacts of hydro development? Follow our blog and stay tuned to the latest reports and studies on the subject! GrandRiverKeeper Labrador Inc. monitors what’s happening and will keep you posted on topics of interest. Follow this link: https://blog.grandriverkeeperlabrador.ca/
Our goal is to preserve and protect the water quality and the ecological integrity of the Grand (Churchill) River and its estuaries for present and future users and for posterity through actions of public awareness, monitoring, research, networking, intervention and habitat restoration. As such one of our key objectives is to bring awareness both locally and globally of the cumulative impacts associated with megadams that we become aware of through our research.
Views: 8