Protect the Zambezi River from Destructive Dams
Target:
Energy Min. Salvador Namburete, Parliament Pres. Eduardo Mulembe
Sponsored by:
The Zambezi is one of the most heavily dammed rivers in Africa. More than 30 large dams have already been built throughout its basin, at great cost to local people and wildlife. These impacts have been particularly harsh in Mozambique, where Cahora Bassa Dam displaced tens of thousands of people, and severely degraded downstream floodplains and fisheries. Changing Cahora Bassa's water release patterns to more closely mimic natural flows could help restore the downstream environment, and efforts to develop such a plan are in discussion now.
Now, the Mozambican government -- with Brazil and China's help -- wants to build a large dam, called Mphanda Nkuwa, 60km downstream from Cahora Bassa. For the foreseeable future, most of its electricity will be exported to South Africa. This is expected to be the first of many more large dams that Mozambique intends to build.
The project would set a dangerous course for future energy development projects in Mozambique. In addition to displacing rural farmers, Mphanda Nkuwa would make downstream restoration through improved management of Cahora Bassa very difficult to achieve. The US$2 billion project also poses significant economic risk to Mozambique, one of the world's poorest nations. Mozambique's rural poor are in desperate need of electricity, but due to the high cost of extending the transmission grid, this dam will not contribute significantly to rural electrification. Smaller, decentralized options would better suit the needs of Mozambique's rural majority. South Africa, where the dam's power is headed, has many clean energy options that it has yet to tap, as well as a huge potential for efficiency measures to reduce energy demand.
Mozambican environmental group Justica Ambiental (JA!) is calling for a public process to review cleaner energy options, and to address the impacts from past dams. Call on Mozambique's Minister of Energy, Mr. Salvador Namburete, and the President of the Parliament, Mr.Eduardo Mulembe to come up with a plan for sustainable energy solutions that will ensure the nation is able to adapt to a changing climate.
Now, the Mozambican government -- with Brazil and China's help -- wants to build a large dam, called Mphanda Nkuwa, 60km downstream from Cahora Bassa. For the foreseeable future, most of its electricity will be exported to South Africa. This is expected to be the first of many more large dams that Mozambique intends to build.
The project would set a dangerous course for future energy development projects in Mozambique. In addition to displacing rural farmers, Mphanda Nkuwa would make downstream restoration through improved management of Cahora Bassa very difficult to achieve. The US$2 billion project also poses significant economic risk to Mozambique, one of the world's poorest nations. Mozambique's rural poor are in desperate need of electricity, but due to the high cost of extending the transmission grid, this dam will not contribute significantly to rural electrification. Smaller, decentralized options would better suit the needs of Mozambique's rural majority. South Africa, where the dam's power is headed, has many clean energy options that it has yet to tap, as well as a huge potential for efficiency measures to reduce energy demand.
Mozambican environmental group Justica Ambiental (JA!) is calling for a public process to review cleaner energy options, and to address the impacts from past dams. Call on Mozambique's Minister of Energy, Mr. Salvador Namburete, and the President of the Parliament, Mr.Eduardo Mulembe to come up with a plan for sustainable energy solutions that will ensure the nation is able to adapt to a changing climate.
The Zambezi is one of the most heavily dammed rivers in Africa. More than 30 large dams have already been built throughout its basin, at great cost to local people and wildlife. These impacts have been particularly harsh in Mozambique, where Cahora Bassa Dam displaced tens of thousands of people, and severely degraded downstream floodplains and fisheries. Changing Cahora Bassa's water release patterns to more closely mimic natural flows could help restore the downstream environment, and efforts to develop such a plan are in discussion now.
Now, the Mozambican government -- with Brazil and China's help -- wants to build a large dam, called Mphanda Nkuwa, 60km downstream from Cahora Bassa. For the foreseeable future, most of its electricity will be exported to South Africa. This is expected to be the first of many more large dams that Mozambique intends to build.
The project would set a dangerous course for future energy development projects in Mozambique. In addition to displacing rural farmers, Mphanda Nkuwa would make downstream restoration through improved management of Cahora Bassa very difficult to achieve. The US$2 billion project also poses significant economic risk to Mozambique, one of the world's poorest nations. Mozambique's rural poor are in desperate need of electricity, but due to the high cost of extending the transmission grid, this dam will not contribute significantly to rural electrification. Smaller, decentralized options would better suit the needs of Mozambique's rural majority. South Africa, where the dam's power is headed, has many clean energy options that it has yet to tap, as well as a huge potential for efficiency measures to reduce energy demand.
Mozambican environmental group Justica Ambiental (JA!) is calling for a public process to review cleaner energy options, and to address the impacts from past dams. Call on Mozambique's Minister of Energy, Mr. Salvador Namburete, and the President of the Parliament, Mr.Eduardo Mulembe to come up with a plan for sustainable energy solutions that will ensure the nation is able to adapt to a changing climate.
Now, the Mozambican government -- with Brazil and China's help -- wants to build a large dam, called Mphanda Nkuwa, 60km downstream from Cahora Bassa. For the foreseeable future, most of its electricity will be exported to South Africa. This is expected to be the first of many more large dams that Mozambique intends to build.
The project would set a dangerous course for future energy development projects in Mozambique. In addition to displacing rural farmers, Mphanda Nkuwa would make downstream restoration through improved management of Cahora Bassa very difficult to achieve. The US$2 billion project also poses significant economic risk to Mozambique, one of the world's poorest nations. Mozambique's rural poor are in desperate need of electricity, but due to the high cost of extending the transmission grid, this dam will not contribute significantly to rural electrification. Smaller, decentralized options would better suit the needs of Mozambique's rural majority. South Africa, where the dam's power is headed, has many clean energy options that it has yet to tap, as well as a huge potential for efficiency measures to reduce energy demand.
Mozambican environmental group Justica Ambiental (JA!) is calling for a public process to review cleaner energy options, and to address the impacts from past dams. Call on Mozambique's Minister of Energy, Mr. Salvador Namburete, and the President of the Parliament, Mr.Eduardo Mulembe to come up with a plan for sustainable energy solutions that will ensure the nation is able to adapt to a changing climate.
We the undersigned unequivocally believe that the Zambezi River is not for sale. We believe it is shortsighted to build another large dam on the river at this time, and call on you to take the following measures to ensure that Mozambique's energy planning process is open and transparent, and results in a sustainable, just plan for energy development:
- We call on you to improve transparency on energy planning in Mozambique, including releasing documents on Mphanda Nkuwa that would shed light on the deal with China, and would reveal the extent of studies into the project's expected impacts and costs.
- We urge you to review plans to build more hydrologically risky dams on the Zambezi in light of the changing climate, and call on you to ensure a "no regrets" plan that does not leave Mozambique overly dependent on hydropower nor increasingly at risk from flood-induced dam failures.
- We call for a monitoring body on dams along the Zambezi River until Mozambique's energy needs are assessed with all the alternatives, such as solar, wind, biomass, etc, taken into account to ensure that Mozambican's energy needs are meet with the least human, environmental and economic costs.
- We call for official support for the process to establish environmental flows from existing dams to help restore the Zambezi Delta.
Thank you for your time.
- We call on you to improve transparency on energy planning in Mozambique, including releasing documents on Mphanda Nkuwa that would shed light on the deal with China, and would reveal the extent of studies into the project's expected impacts and costs.
- We urge you to review plans to build more hydrologically risky dams on the Zambezi in light of the changing climate, and call on you to ensure a "no regrets" plan that does not leave Mozambique overly dependent on hydropower nor increasingly at risk from flood-induced dam failures.
- We call for a monitoring body on dams along the Zambezi River until Mozambique's energy needs are assessed with all the alternatives, such as solar, wind, biomass, etc, taken into account to ensure that Mozambican's energy needs are meet with the least human, environmental and economic costs.
- We call for official support for the process to establish environmental flows from existing dams to help restore the Zambezi Delta.
Thank you for your time.
We signed the "Protect the Zambezi River from Destructive Dams" petition!
# 1,223:
2:23 pm PST, Jan 7,
Julie Stuckey, Florida
# 1,222:
3:06 am PST, Jan 5,
John Gabriel, South Africa
Having had opportunites to work across southern and central Africa, it is apparent that the importance of rivers such as the Zambesi to those who benefit from its natural resources cannot be overemphasised. Please consider more sustainable solutions.
Having had opportunites to work across southern and central Africa, it is apparent that the importance of rivers such as the Zambesi to those who benefit from its natural resources cannot be overemphasised. Please consider more sustainable solutions.
# 1,221:
6:20 pm PST, Dec 29,
Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 1,220:
12:50 pm PST, Dec 18,
Rena D, Texas
# 1,219:
1:45 am PST, Dec 17,
Joel Gilbert, United Kingdom
We would love to have the natural beauty, in terms of rivers, that your country has. Are their other alternatives for power that can benefit PEOPLE?
We would love to have the natural beauty, in terms of rivers, that your country has. Are their other alternatives for power that can benefit PEOPLE?
# 1,218:
6:29 pm PST, Dec 14,
Allen Isaacman, Minnesota
I have seen the devastation that Cahora Bassa dam brought and spoken to hundred of peasants and river people whose lives have been disrupted and whose world has been torn asunder by the hdro-electric project.
I have seen the devastation that Cahora Bassa dam brought and spoken to hundred of peasants and river people whose lives have been disrupted and whose world has been torn asunder by the hdro-electric project.
# 1,217:
1:54 am PST, Dec 8,
Carole BELLEUDY, France
# 1,216:
1:53 am PST, Dec 8,
Nicolas BELLEUDY, France
# 1,215:
1:53 am PST, Dec 8,
Odile HECKMANN, France
# 1,214:
1:52 am PST, Dec 8,
Marie-Rose HECKMANN, France
# 1,213:
11:30 am PST, Dec 5,
Matthew Pintar, Pennsylvania
# 1,212:
7:37 pm PST, Dec 3,
Mary Williams, Utah
# 1,211:
10:52 am PST, Nov 30,
Lawrence Ansaroff, Florida
The Earth is perfectly large and provides substantial amounts of land. How is it that alternative energy sources cannot find areas of land mass away from environmental, political, or societal interference.
The Earth is perfectly large and provides substantial amounts of land. How is it that alternative energy sources cannot find areas of land mass away from environmental, political, or societal interference.
# 1,210:
7:44 am PST, Nov 30,
Robert Lewis Lewis, South Africa
A few hours research will show you that big dams are a century-old, outdated idea that destroys long term water resource sustainability. More, but much smaller dams, carefully located so as not to significantly interrupt the natural water behaviour of river systems are more promising - if as yet, not totally proven. The greatest 20C disaster example is Nasser's vainglorious & disastrous Aswan Dam; but, more recently, & a project I have been personally involved in measuring the negative effects of, is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that is is slowly but surely water-starving the natural flora & fauna & the livelihoods of the rural people of this beautiful Mountain Kingdom.
A few hours research will show you that big dams are a century-old, outdated idea that destroys long term water resource sustainability. More, but much smaller dams, carefully located so as not to significantly interrupt the natural water behaviour of river systems are more promising - if as yet, not totally proven. The greatest 20C disaster example is Nasser's vainglorious & disastrous Aswan Dam; but, more recently, & a project I have been personally involved in measuring the negative effects of, is the Lesotho Highlands Water Project that is is slowly but surely water-starving the natural flora & fauna & the livelihoods of the rural people of this beautiful Mountain Kingdom.
# 1,209:
1:34 pm PST, Nov 24,
Joe Fehr, Virginia
I am a teacher, I believe in helping others grow to their potential so that they can help others grow. I have gone to southern Africa (Zambia and South Africa) on three separate occasions to help the teachers there build up their science curriculum. During that time I have seen many poor people in very bad conditions. In most cases, these people have to live off the land, and uprooting them or making the land less giving to them will cause great damage and suffering. I have also seen great beauty in Africa, and I'd hate to see that get thrown away by depriving the landscape of its resources. There must be another way to get electricity for others, without hurting their brothers and sisters in another land.
I am a teacher, I believe in helping others grow to their potential so that they can help others grow. I have gone to southern Africa (Zambia and South Africa) on three separate occasions to help the teachers there build up their science curriculum. During that time I have seen many poor people in very bad conditions. In most cases, these people have to live off the land, and uprooting them or making the land less giving to them will cause great damage and suffering. I have also seen great beauty in Africa, and I'd hate to see that get thrown away by depriving the landscape of its resources. There must be another way to get electricity for others, without hurting their brothers and sisters in another land.
# 1,208:
2:53 am PST, Nov 23,
Qzfblwl Qzfblwl, Norway
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# 1,207:
6:13 pm PST, Nov 20,
Monica Dance, New Zealand
It sounds like energy efficiency in South Africa is the way to go. Please do that instead!
It sounds like energy efficiency in South Africa is the way to go. Please do that instead!
# 1,206:
3:42 am PST, Nov 19,
Mihir Biswas, Bangladesh
For Better Earth.
For Better Earth.
# 1,205:
10:40 pm PST, Nov 18,
Keith Razack, New York
The rivers of our planet are the arteries of our world. What is put into them is a representation of our human civilization's use and misuse.
The rivers of our planet are the arteries of our world. What is put into them is a representation of our human civilization's use and misuse.
# 1,204:
6:26 pm PST, Nov 18,
Michelle Hoff, Pennsylvania
Clean energy is the way of the future for the people of Mozambique. These people do not want the dams.
Clean energy is the way of the future for the people of Mozambique. These people do not want the dams.
# 1,203:
4:16 am PST, Nov 18,
Farai Dondofema, South Africa
I think we have been slowly destroying the little natural habitats left for Flora adn fauna and its high time someone says no to this plundering.
I think we have been slowly destroying the little natural habitats left for Flora adn fauna and its high time someone says no to this plundering.
# 1,202:
9:45 pm PST, Nov 17,
Corwin Zechar, California
# 1,201:
2:09 pm PST, Nov 17,
Sylvana Hochet, Canada
# 1,200:
4:38 am PST, Nov 17,
Erich Capka, Austria
# 1,199:
7:13 pm PST, Nov 16,
Brenden Cronin, Wyoming
This project to me seems to be to the benefit of inviduals rather a large number of people.
This project to me seems to be to the benefit of inviduals rather a large number of people.
# 1,198:
2:25 pm PST, Nov 16,
Kim Merville, Pennsylvania
# 1,197:
1:29 pm PST, Nov 16,
Name not displayed, Germany
# 1,196:
2:07 pm PST, Nov 15,
Michael Epstein, New York
Wildlifwe and the indigenous people who depend on them must be protected from these destructive projects
Wildlifwe and the indigenous people who depend on them must be protected from these destructive projects
# 1,195:
9:39 am PST, Nov 15,
Tammy Robinson, North Carolina
# 1,194:
10:22 pm PST, Nov 13,
Jill Chesley, Canada
I have friends in Mozambique and therefore am concerned about the effects of this dam.
I have friends in Mozambique and therefore am concerned about the effects of this dam.
# 1,193:
4:55 pm PST, Nov 13,
Michael Bristow, Canada
This is a project which is aimed to help the upper echelons of Mozambiquan society, which is a very small segment of Mozambiquan society. Most people are still peasants, living outside the cities, and this will probably do nothing to improve THEIR standard of living.
This is a project which is aimed to help the upper echelons of Mozambiquan society, which is a very small segment of Mozambiquan society. Most people are still peasants, living outside the cities, and this will probably do nothing to improve THEIR standard of living.
# 1,192:
12:18 pm PST, Nov 13,
Wolfgang Preiser, South Africa
# 1,191:
4:01 pm PST, Nov 12,
Daniela Castro, Chile
The same is about to happen to Chilean patagonia rivers, it is a crime and should be avoided today.
The same is about to happen to Chilean patagonia rivers, it is a crime and should be avoided today.
# 1,190:
|
8:27 pm PST, Nov 11,
Lynn Ledgerwood, Washington
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# 1,189:
9:43 am PST, Nov 11,
Name not displayed, Canada
I am deeply saddened by the way the earth is being destroyed and people displaced by mega dams. It is time to look at more environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.
I am deeply saddened by the way the earth is being destroyed and people displaced by mega dams. It is time to look at more environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.
# 1,188:
2:32 am PST, Nov 11,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
I am very sad to read about the proposal to build this damn in Mozambique. Renewable Energy is the way of the future and not projects like this which are not only bad for the environment and wildlife but also for the people and the local economy. I think it is a greedy and insensitive act to build this dam. Joanne MacInnes England
I am very sad to read about the proposal to build this damn in Mozambique. Renewable Energy is the way of the future and not projects like this which are not only bad for the environment and wildlife but also for the people and the local economy. I think it is a greedy and insensitive act to build this dam. Joanne MacInnes England
# 1,187:
12:32 am PST, Nov 11,
Birgit Eberling, Germany
# 1,186:
4:50 pm PST, Nov 10,
Leslie Coon, Colorado
# 1,185:
3:48 pm PST, Nov 10,
Jackie Coombs, United Kingdom
# 1,184:
2:52 am PST, Nov 10,
Celeste cambaza Cambaza, Portugal
# 1,183:
9:56 pm PST, Nov 9,
Chad McCrory, Georgia
# 1,182:
3:16 pm PST, Nov 9,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 1,181:
8:40 am PST, Nov 9,
Kevin Arney, Florida
There are better ways to provide electricity to the region.
There are better ways to provide electricity to the region.
# 1,180:
11:29 pm PST, Nov 8,
Name not displayed, New Zealand
# 1,179:
7:18 pm PST, Nov 8,
Diana Walsh, California
To All Concerned: As our new President, Barack Obama, said on election night, our planet is in peril. Please take the longterm view and follow the course that will maximize the quality of life for all the generations to come. We must follow a new path, protect our natural resources, our people and our wildlife. Thank you, Diana Walsh
To All Concerned: As our new President, Barack Obama, said on election night, our planet is in peril. Please take the longterm view and follow the course that will maximize the quality of life for all the generations to come. We must follow a new path, protect our natural resources, our people and our wildlife. Thank you, Diana Walsh
# 1,178:
2:45 pm PST, Nov 8,
Jennifer Books, New Hampshire
The river supports a wide range of wildlife as well as the very people who live near it. A dam will not only cause potential harm to both but dramatically alter the landscape as well. You need to seek alternative environmentally friendly means of obtaining energy for the sake of everyone and everything that depends on the river for survival.
The river supports a wide range of wildlife as well as the very people who live near it. A dam will not only cause potential harm to both but dramatically alter the landscape as well. You need to seek alternative environmentally friendly means of obtaining energy for the sake of everyone and everything that depends on the river for survival.
# 1,177:
12:33 pm PST, Nov 8,
Dora Kassis, Greece
# 1,176:
11:29 am PST, Nov 8,
Carla Furness, South Africa
We need to start taking better care of our natural resources instead of exploiting them for finantial gain. I'll considered projects result in great damage to the environment and those people who live in harmony with it. Ultimately we all suffer.
We need to start taking better care of our natural resources instead of exploiting them for finantial gain. I'll considered projects result in great damage to the environment and those people who live in harmony with it. Ultimately we all suffer.
# 1,175:
9:38 am PST, Nov 8,
Theresa Galvin, New York
Impeding a river's flow negatively affects so many human and wildlife habitats!
Impeding a river's flow negatively affects so many human and wildlife habitats!
# 1,174:
8:42 am PST, Nov 8,
Carolyn Moon, Nebraska
# 1,173:
7:36 am PST, Nov 8,
Francisco Anta Fernández, Spain
# 1,172:
7:17 am PST, Nov 8,
PAVLA PRIBYLOVA, Colorado
# 1,171:
2:26 am PST, Nov 8,
Derek Folmer, United Kingdom
I understand the economic value of such a project, especialy since I work in the mining industry and having travelled extensively in places like Africa and China.However, we must not neglect our responsibility to future generations and the impact that these projects have have the local and global environment. We cannot be shortsighted!
I understand the economic value of such a project, especialy since I work in the mining industry and having travelled extensively in places like Africa and China.However, we must not neglect our responsibility to future generations and the impact that these projects have have the local and global environment. We cannot be shortsighted!
# 1,170:
12:37 pm PST, Nov 7,
Chris Harjes, North Carolina
Displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes in the name of cheap, destructive power is WRONG!
Displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes in the name of cheap, destructive power is WRONG!
# 1,169:
4:22 am PST, Nov 7,
Morgan R.e., United Kingdom
wildlife people environment
wildlife people environment
# 1,168:
9:21 pm PST, Nov 6,
Gretchen Bratvold, Minnesota
# 1,167:
3:52 pm PST, Nov 6,
Barbara Robinson, Washington
# 1,166:
1:50 pm PST, Nov 6,
Emily Moss, Canada
# 1,165:
1:26 pm PST, Nov 6,
Michael Waters, Colorado
# 1,164:
11:42 am PST, Nov 6,
Russ Abolt, Montana
I object because it will not help the people who most need it. Further it will be an ecological disaster.
I object because it will not help the people who most need it. Further it will be an ecological disaster.
# 1,163:
10:51 am PST, Nov 6,
Name not displayed, Oregon
# 1,162:
10:06 am PST, Nov 6,
Jim Krieger, New Jersey
# 1,161:
8:49 am PST, Nov 6,
Stewart Sanders, Massachusetts
I traveled and fished the Alagash R. in Maine; when it was threatened by a project on the St. John R., we wrote a Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas, who also cared for the river. It remained wild. There is joy for humans when we live with rivers and their ecosystems. Brazil and China and financial institutions are imposing materialistic visions on people who have cultural values that are pushed aside.
I traveled and fished the Alagash R. in Maine; when it was threatened by a project on the St. John R., we wrote a Supreme Court Justice, William O. Douglas, who also cared for the river. It remained wild. There is joy for humans when we live with rivers and their ecosystems. Brazil and China and financial institutions are imposing materialistic visions on people who have cultural values that are pushed aside.
# 1,160:
8:16 am PST, Nov 6,
Boikhutso Kgwadi, Zimbabwe
When the power of love exceeds the love of power, then Africa and the world shall know peace
When the power of love exceeds the love of power, then Africa and the world shall know peace
# 1,159:
7:53 am PST, Nov 6,
Name not displayed, Germany
# 1,158:
7:49 am PST, Nov 6,
Ethan Middlebrooks, New York
# 1,157:
6:54 am PST, Nov 6,
Pamela Dannacher, Iowa
Please tell us why you feel strongly about this issue.
Please tell us why you feel strongly about this issue.
# 1,156:
4:51 am PST, Nov 6,
Linda Mulapha, Mozambique
l believe in preserving nature, so please stop playing this rough game with it
l believe in preserving nature, so please stop playing this rough game with it
# 1,155:
9:51 pm PST, Nov 5,
Bill Macartney, Nevada
I love rivers around the world!
I love rivers around the world!
# 1,154:
6:16 pm PST, Nov 5,
Mary Ann Ford, Michigan
Dams are destructive of nature and by destroying the earth's natural ways we end up desroying human life on the planet.
Dams are destructive of nature and by destroying the earth's natural ways we end up desroying human life on the planet.
# 1,153:
5:42 pm PST, Nov 5,
Danuta Radko, Massachusetts
# 1,152:
5:16 pm PST, Nov 5,
James Small, Louisiana
The Zambezi is a world class river that has been dammed along its length with displacement of people and wildlife. Development of these dams has damaged the lives of those involved and development of another dam will not enhance the environment or the lives of those who live along the river. Water releases that simulate the natural flows are a great step forward and should help the people and animals that live along in its waters and along its banks. Please take a step forward and start returning the river to its natural states so that people will enjoy the natural beauty that this wonderful river offers.
The Zambezi is a world class river that has been dammed along its length with displacement of people and wildlife. Development of these dams has damaged the lives of those involved and development of another dam will not enhance the environment or the lives of those who live along the river. Water releases that simulate the natural flows are a great step forward and should help the people and animals that live along in its waters and along its banks. Please take a step forward and start returning the river to its natural states so that people will enjoy the natural beauty that this wonderful river offers.
# 1,151:
2:38 pm PST, Nov 5,
Stacey Skole, New York