| Dams have been used as sources of hydroelectric | | | | their homes. Local ecological systems are being |
| energy for many years. In 2006, the body of the | | | | damaged and destroyed and the risk of landslides has |
| largest hydroelectric plant was completed in Yichang, | | | | increased dramatically. Still, the dam remains the single |
| China. By October of 2008, the original plans for the | | | | most productive hydroenergy plant in the world. The |
| dam were complete with 32 generators working to | | | | damage to local ecosystems defeats the purpose of |
| create energy. Additional turbines were added to the | | | | producing alternative energy. |
| original plans and should be complete no later than | | | | Ultimately, the world needs the power water can |
| 2011. From October of 2008 until September of | | | | create, but destroying the Earth in the process is not |
| 2009, the plant produced enough energy to cover | | | | an environmentally friendly option. In addition to the |
| nearly 1/3 of the total production cost at nearly 350 | | | | damage created by the dam itself, substations and |
| terawatt hours of electricity, but what is the price | | | | super electrical lines need to be installed in order to |
| local people and ecological systems have to pay for | | | | move the created energy to the people who can |
| this energy? | | | | use the power. This results in an even larger carbon |
| Flooding caused by damming up the Three Gorges | | | | footprint on the earth. |
| river caused more than one million people to lose | | | | |