14 DAY TRIAL // On the first day of the Durban summit, International Rivers and Friends of the Earth International launched a video showing that dams are the wrong answer to the climate change phenomenon.
The Google Earth 3D tour raises the public opinion's level of awareness regarding the connection between dams and current climate conditions, by presenting useful information about the role played by these structures. The study takes into consideration actual cases from Africa, the Amazon and the Himalayas.
First of all, climate change influences the amount of precipitations, therefore river flows cannot be properly controlled, as they are highly unpredictable, reports International Rivers. Dams endanger the resources of the already challenged local communities and wildlife representatives. Such a structure can flood land surfaces, reduce the quantity of water and destroy fisheries.
Last, but not least, these giant structures trigger a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Dams, especially those located in the tropics paved with rotting vegetation, are a significant source of methane.