The Three Gorges Dam is one of the greatest engineering project that the world has ever seen. It is 2.3km long , 184m high, and took 12 years to complete. Its 34 generators will produce 22,500 MW of electricity. This is praiseworthy as a source or clean, renewable energy.

The dam will also help control the flow of the Yangtze, which is known to overflow dramatically at regular intervals causing terrible floods that have killed sometimes hundreds of thousands of people. In periods of droughts, the reservoir will provide water to farms downstream.

But the dam is not just an engineering marvel, a green economic powerhouse, and a way to save millions of lives over time. Its main criticism is that it will create a giant lake that will need the relocalization of many people and the destruction of some old towns and villages and of some of the biodiversity upstream.

But is it really that bad ? I can't see what's the problem with asking some people to move house when it can save many lives. The environment issue isn't even one as it will prevent natural catastrophes by controlling the mighty river's flow. It will reduces pollution and green house gases. Overall I think it is a commendable and unavoidable project. Anybody care to disagree ?