China is developing the world’s biggest dam in Tibet, on the Yarlung Zangbo River, to create 60 gigawatts of electricity, an amount greater than what the Three Gorges Dam generates by almost three times. With the steep slopes of the plateau, engineers have decided to use modern turbines to help China convert the river’s flow into electricity so it can reach its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2060.
Just like its advanced hypersonic aircraft, this large-scale project represents how China is big on technology. Despite the benefits, several environmental, political, and human challenges have resulted from building the dam. Up to 1.2 million residents in the area could be moved, putting indigenous folks at risk and endangering their native traditions. The nation’s ecosystem, located in Tibet, could suffer, since the region is home to some species unique to this area.
Both countries share the same concerns about the threats. Many people depend on the Brahmaputra River, which is a result of the Yarlung Zangbo. When a water flow is changed, the effect on crops, different animal and plant communities, and the regular river supply may lead to disagreements between regions.
It has been argued that despite making the water cleaner, constructing huge dams may cause major harm to the natural environment. As China’s old dams did not prevent damage to downstream areas, people are less trusting of the dams in this phase.
The case study demonstrates that various factors can influence the state of global sustainability. It mentions that clean energy, saving nature, and nations joining forces matter equally. Because green policies are being put in place, the Tibetan dam in China will be remembered for its remarkable size and its serious impacts on many people.
