The Two Faces of a Carbon Neutral China: More Hydro Expansion Threatens World Heritage Site

The goal of becoming carbon neutral is a lofty one and countries all over the world have made all sorts of promises claiming they are making steps to become carbon neutral. However sometimes there becomes a point when blind ambition, politics, and money are too deeply involved in these goals. One such example is China.

For the last few years we have been hearing a lot about China's plans to build massive, record shattering, hydroelectric plants and water diversion systems. The result of all this progress has been the relocation of hundreds of thousands of people, destruction of habitat for hundreds of endangered species, and loss of many culturally important sites. Moreover the planned expansions to take place within the next five to ten years, threatens millions more.

One such plan that has been on and off for a few years now is the hydroelectric dam on the Nu River in the South Central region of China. The planned 21.3GW project, not only will call for the relocation for over 50,000 residents, it will also threaten up to 80 endangered species, threaten the water supply of Burma and Thailand, and dam one of the last free flowing rivers in China. The Nu River carved what many call the "Grand Canyon of The Orient", and the over 13 individual dams that are planned will surely destroy much of its grandeur. For more on this see this article on Treehugger or this report from The Guardian.

So is the price too high for a carbon neutral China? Or is this the kind of progress that must be made? What can The United States learn from China's expansion, and the controversy it has raised? I welcome your comments on the topic.