Environmental Defense Applauds Dam Commission's Damning Report

Environmental Defense applauded the World Commission on Dams’ (WCD) final report released today, which finds large dams have damaged the environment and disrupted communities, often providing fewer than projected benefits at higher than projected costs. Environmental Defense called on government agencies and international investors to adopt the WCD’s guidelines for new dams and for addressing the social and environmental problems caused by past projects.

The historic report is the first comprehensive independent review of large dams around the globe by representatives of the hydropower industry, government, indigenous peoples, environmentalists, academic researchers and social justice activists. The 11 member Commission includes Environmental Defense consulting scientist Deborah Moore. The report can be accessed at the World Commission on Dams web site.

“The Commission concludes that the benefits provided to some people by large dam projects have come at tremendous costs, causing environmental damage, social injustice, and debt around the world,” said Moore. It finds more than $2 trillion has been invested in large dams, displacing 40-80 million people. Over 60% of the world’s rivers have been affected by dams; one-fifth of freshwater species are extinct; and more than half the world’s wetlands have been lost. The report also includes recent findings that dam reservoirs contribute to global warming because they emit significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

“The Commission’s recommendations to strengthen planning for new dams, consider alternatives to dams, and redress the legacy of problems from past dams create a toolkit for meeting peoples’ needs for water and preserving the Earth’s resources,” said Moore.

“The World Bank, Export Credit Agencies and other financial institutions fail to serve the public interest when they use tax dollars to finance destructive dam projects, such as the Three Gorges Dam in China, which will displace over 1.5 million people,” said Bruce Rich, director of Environmental Defense’s International Program. “The World Commission on Dams’ guidelines embody an international consensus; the Bank and Export Credit Agencies should adopt and implement them immediately.”

“Problems with dams continue to plague California and the West,” said Tom Graff, Environmental Defense’s California regional director. “The Commission supports measures that would help redress the legacy of poor performance and environmental damage from our nation’s large dams. It’s time for the Bureau of Reclamation, the Army Corps of Engineers and other large dam operators to heed the Commission’s message by improving operations and restoring environments throughout the country.”