20th Annual Student Research Conference
Interdisciplinary
The Three Gorges Dam: A Paradigm of Past v. Present, Nature v. Man
Jarrett L. Anderson
Prof. Julie Minn, Faculty Mentor
The Three Gorges Dam represents a delicate interplay between past and present that reveals the Chinese people as pressurized between cherished tradition and modernized, matter-of-fact life. China has constructed the world’s largest hydroelectric dam in the Yangtze River’s Three Gorges, among the most spectacular formations in the natural world. Against implorations and expert advice from across the globe, despite financial snafus, humanitarian distress, and environmental concerns, this dam rose from the bed of the Yangtze, soaring 610 feet into the sky and forming a reservoir that holds 11 trillion gallons of water. Economists laud the consequential financial gains. Environmentalists cringe for the Gorges’ delicate ecosystem while welcoming the advent of cleaner energy. Humanitarians regret the loss of culture and family tradition. Engineers portend the possibility of a catastrophic collapse. The Chinese government asserts success and triumph. This project examines the influences and implications of the Three Gorges Dam as the symbol of a nation torn between what it was and what it is.
Keywords: China, Thee Gorges Dam, Three Gorges
Topic(s):Interdisciplinary
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 54-2
Location: OP 2210
Time: 3:00 pm