RJA 15

This has been quite the semester of writing, however this class has really enabled me to sharpen not only my writing skills, but my critical thinking skills as well. I chose a topic that was not necessarily hard to find information on, but pertinent information that was concise and not repetitive was a bit difficult. My topic just shed light on a topic that would not ordinarily spark my interest. Also, writing a research paper, and doing the actual research was not something I was looking forward to, but found that in the end was extremely beneficial. Certain websites that Prof. Clark posted, or different articles/sources that I found throughout this process will stay with me my entire academic career. The feedback from peers was wonderful was well, I loved how interactive it was for an online course. All in all, this class was extremely helpful in breaking down the research process, and constructing a research paper. It was also great to see the topics everyone picked, why and how they were pertinent to each person. Great course!

RJA #13c: Application Project Example

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-07/15/content_348413.htm

I liked this article because it portrayed the gravity of the situation through words and pictures. This article illustrated the struggle for citizens after they have been displaced, also it gave key facts concerning the massive relocation of people. It gave key facts in retribution from the government, the new quality of life people were facing, and what their opinion was. This article was slightly biased, but gave a fairly good objective point of view. It stated facts, and interviewed citizens to get the real story. It gave two different examples of people affected by the dam, one person doing okay, the other not. I think I can learn from this example to give objective based reporting, to create an organizational flow and implement voice. Overall, I think this will be a good article to mirror.

RJA#13b: Application Project Plan

For my application project I have decided to write a newspaper article. I think the approach I am going to take is to report on a local village and how they have been affected by recent dam construction. I am going to start by explaining the environmental implications the dam has had on the village, how the village has tried to adapt to their new environment without a flowing river. I am also going to report in this newspaper article how the village people have been asked to leave so they can continue with dam construction. I will report in the newspaper article how their quality of life has been affected, and also how the environment has changed the area.

RJA#13a: Word Cloud

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1942697/dams

RJA#12b: Field Research Report

I conducted a survey of twenty people, who's ages ranged between 21 and 64. I chose people with various backgrounds (e.g. jobs, ethnicity, age, political views etc). I asked what they thought of dams and their environmental and economic roll, the outcome was very interesting, and not what I expected.

Four People: (ages 35, 23, 26, and 30)
- Believe that dams have grave implications (economically and environmentally). These four people were able to give examples backing up their points.

Twelve People: ( ages 21, 26, 27, 23, 25, 64, 58, 59, 52, 48, 49, 31)
- believed that dams did not significantly alter ecology and biodiversity.

Four People: (ages 62, 41, 23, 24)
- argued that without dams our nation would not have progressed as it has, therefore whatever implications that dams "supposedly" incur, it did not outweigh progress.

RJA#12a: Annotated Bibliography, Part 3

1.)
Bezlova, Antoaneta. "Three Gorges Dam May Displace Millions More." Environment China 12 Oct. 2007. Web. 13 Feb. 2010.

Antoaneta gives some powerful statistics regarding dam displacement. Not only does she account for reservoir displacement, but she sheds an interesting light on the thousands to millions more that will need to evacuate based on repercussions from dam development. Bezlova is very factual, taking great care to be a voice for the people affected adversely because of dams. She advocates for their rights, and is a powerful resource for people displaced by dams. Very concise!

2.)
Pamoa, E. Tedonkeng, and M N. Tchambab. "Elephants and Vegetation Change in the Sahelo-Soudanian Region of Cameroon." Journal of Arid Environments 48.3 (2001): 243-53. Print.

This was an interesting journal, although only some of it applied to me. It did account for the biodiversity affected as a side effect of dams. Typically we think of aquatic life being affected by dams, however this journal argues (as in the case for elephants) that it goes beyond just affected aquatic life. It affects migratory patterns of many species, elephants in particular in this case, because dam infrastructure has such monumental affects. This journal is good at encompassing vegetation change etc, but I was more focused with what they had to say regarding migratory routes.

3.)
Xi, Juan, Sean-Shong Hwang, Xiaotian Feng, Xiaofei Qiao Qiao, and Yue Cao. "Perceived Risks and Benefits of the Three Gorges Project." Sociological Perspectives 50.2 (2007): 323-37. Print.

This article was a good non-biased, very objective source for the cost/benefit analysis of dam displacement and environmental damage. It illustrated the gains as well as the loses. While their were writing from a Chinese perspective on the Three Gorges Dam in China, it is clear that though they are being objective, they are clearly in support of the dam. Even though this dam is said to be the most catastrophic known to man. At any rate, they do give a good opinion of what they believe is worth the risk to provide to "the greater good of the people."

4.)
Cantor, Doug. "5 of the Largest, Oddest and most Useless State Projects." cnn.com/living. CNN, 12 Oct. 2006. Web. 27 July 2007.

This article was funny and factual. Doug Cantor briefly describes how the Teton Dam was useless. He describes how the government could have avoided unneeded damages, costs, and lives had they been more receptive to suggestions about preventative care maintenance. At any rate, Cantor describes the demise of the dam, and the damage it caused as a result of complacency. He describes the dangers of dam infrastructure as they age, and cannot support itself anymore without maintenance.

5.)
Pearce, Fred. When the Rivers Run Dry. Boston: Beacon Press Books, 2006. 130-40. Print.

Gives really good statistics, and information regarding water crisis and how dams really aren't the solution. Fred Pearce conveys the information easily and makes you understand just how detrimental dams really are. His book primarily focuses on environmental aspects, and how grand a scale they play in society. He also offers a comparison of a cost/benefit analysis. This source was VERY helpful!

RJA#11: Annotated Bibliographies, Part 2

1.) Tan, Raymond. "Alternatives to Dams." Environe. N.p., 19 May 2008. Web. 10 Apr. 2010.

This source was really wonderful in regards to alternatives to dams. It provided a variety of different perspectives on different approaches to solutions. It included ideas on spending money for researching new ways, in addition to utilizing energy efficient technology we already have. It suggested implementing and trying new avenues like fuel cell technology, as well as just fixing and rehabilitating older dams. It also talks about dam decommissioning, and restoring river life as a means to alternatives to dams.

2.) Chao, Liang. "More Bid Farewell to Three Gorges." China Daily 15 July 2004. Web. 9 Apr. 2010.

This newspaper article was by far the best article I have found that deals directly with displaced people of a dam. The article was clearly written objectively and gave two very good accounts of life for a resettled person after they’re forced to leave. This article in China Daily expresses the hardships, personal feelings/attitudes as a result of their new life. This article also accounts for two different people affected by the dam. One citizen made out okay with government retribution, while the other has lost everything. A very good objective article!

3.) Barlow, Maude. Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water. New York: The New Press, 2007. Print.

Maude Barlow is more focused on the distribution of fresh water around the world, but she is relevant to my topic when discussing the distribution and cleanliness of the water. This source is brief but useful in that she discusses the effects that low quality water has on people. Astounding statistics of people dying from preventable diseases as a result of poor water quality (diarrhea etc.) as a result (in part) of dams. Maude Barlow is a very credible resource to use because she is a leading activist for public distribution of water, one of the main problems when dams get built, they claim the water will be distributed evenly, but rarely are.

4.) Burke, Edmund, and Kenneth Pomeranz. The Environment and World History. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2009. Print.

This book was a wonderful portrayal of how dams (even since pre-colonial/colonial times) stood for symbols of national development and economic power. Dams remain symbols for national pride, even when their benefits are less than the cost. This source really shed light on and insisted the prominence dams have had in our history. It even goes as far to say that dams have been our consistent endeavor to conquer the land even when it has catastrophic consequences. I really like this source as an economic standpoint because it has been the most thorough in supplying evidence that dams have always been an imperialistic representation.

5.) Getis, Arthur, Judith Getis, and Jerome D. Fellman. Introduction to Geography. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. 145-46. Print.

This has been an incredible source for environmental impacts of dams. Not only does it list what the repercussions dams have on the environment, but it gives detailed examples. It breaks down hard terms associated with dam problems that you might not be familiar with unless you’re an environmentalist, agriculturist, or engineer. This source focuses only on environmental effects, upstream and downstream, as well as all the development that accompanies a dam. It is one of my favorite sources!

RJA#10c: Ideas for Application Project

1.) write to a family member in the form of a displaced person because of a major dam
2.) write the World Commission on Dams from the perspective of an activist who opposes dam construction
3.) write to the World Bank as an environmentalist who understands the gravity of damage the dam will impose on the environment
4.) write a journal entry about how my life has changed now that I have been displaced/resettled because of a dam

RJA#10b: Progress Report for Argumentative Paper

1.) Accomplished
- documented sources
- read over half of the articles I'm going to use
- divided and organized my sources into groups, and placed them accordingly (economics, environmental, solutions, displacement etc.)
- brainstormed a few ideas for introductions
- collected powerful quotes from leaders regarding dams that will be effective in demonstrating my argument
- found the visual aids I will use
- revising my outline, adding and removing key points

2.) What I still have to do...
- find a few more credible/reliable sources
- find some more sources that give the other side to the story
- finish conducting my poll/survey
- revise sources
- begin drafting paper
- find more alternatives to dams

3.) Detailed Schedule
- (4/5) go to the library/book store for more sources
- (4/6) read sources, revise outline
- (4/8) begin drafting research paper, submit to OWL for review/help
- (4/10) revise research paper
- (4/12) complete draft to be submitted
- (4/14) edit one last time before submitting paper on (4/16)
- repeat process until final draft is due

RJA #10c: Ideas for the Application Project–Brainstorm a list of at least four ideas for your application project.

RJA#10a: Annotated Bibliography, Part 1

1.) Roy, Arundhati. The Greater Common Good. Bombay: India Book Distributor, 1999. Print.

Arundhati Roy is extremely skilled at giving an in-depth perspective of the social aspects of dam construction. She is a world renowned social activist, and extremely credible among her colleagues. In "The Greater Common Good," Roy depicts the lack of governmental acknowledgment in regards to the displacement and resettlement of people. Roy illustrates the social activism and movements in the Narmada Valley that are resistant to dam construction.

2.)Leslie, Jacques. Deep Water: The Epic Struggle over Dams, Displaced People, and the Environment. N.p.: Picador, 2006. Print.

This book has been the most helpful so far, in that it gives three different perspectives from three different people on dam construction and effects. All three people were members of the World Commission on dams, yet each have different (and like-minded) opinions. One of the ladies was an activist against dams, another is an anthropologist, dam re-settlement expert and consultant to the world bank, and the last is a representative of Australia's dam crisis (the necessity for them, but the problematic issues associated with them.) Clearly you can see the diverse opinions, which helps give a well-rounded perspective.


3.) McCully, Patrick. Silenced Rivers: The Ecology and Politics of Large Dams. N.p.: Zed Books, 2001. Print.

This work particularly focuses on the economic factors going into dams. The financing and support of major corporations for profit, but also dives into the infrastructure and it's impact on society and their ability to support it financially. He talks about the politics of dams and how money can drive decisions instead of what is best for "everyone." I like this book the best because it gives a taste of behind the scenes construction, and how a project begins.

4.) Khagram, Sanjeev. Dams and Development: Transnational Struggles for Water and Power. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2004. Print.

Khagram expresses the economic symbol that dams used to represent in India, but with the rise of Non-Governmental Organizations they begin to shed light on the real effects dams have on society. He focuses specifically on the Narmada Valley (like Roy) and it's 3,030 dam projects under way. He also touches on how the political economy of India has changed as a result of these specific large dam projects, and how it gave India attention on the global scale.

RJA#9c: Presentation Plan

I. Introduction
A.) Attention gainer
B.) Thesis

II. Purpose of Dams
A.) Briefly summarize why dams are considered valuable, and what services they provide
1.) Drinking water
2.) Irrigation to drought prone/affected areas
3.) Power and electricity

III. Environmental Impacts
A.) Changes H2O
1.) Increases salinity and traps nutrients
2.) Causes water logging
3.) Traps sediments
4.) The reservoir actually warms the cool river water (affecting wildlife)
B.) Causes floods
1.) The dams can break from an overflow of water storage
2.) Dam engineers can (and do) periodically release water gates, flooding areas downstream
3.) Flood from precipitation
C.) Deforestation
1.) Strip the land of trees to make way for roads, accommodations for dam site
D.) Alters ecosystems/wildlife
1.) Hinders fish migratory and spawning patterns
2.) Wildlife dependent on rich soils/nutrients/crops along the river bed/shore are forced to relocate, adapt or die off.
3.) Cause disease from stagnant waters

IV. Economic Impact
A.) Displacement of people
1.) Usually rural people are displaced to urban areas (not used to the new way of life)
2.) Lose social networks
3.) Rehabilitation and resettlement plans are far from adequate. Large quantities of people forced to relocate find themselves starving, and economically disadvantaged.
B.) (in severe cases) Imports/Exports change
1.) People start growing what they can afford to sell - not what they can afford to eat
C.) Funding/guidelines for dam projects
1.) No guidelines/plan REQUIRED for relocation of mass quantities of people
A- people are promised retribution, but receive none
B- people are promised housing, but receive tin shelters
C- people starve to death in government rehabilitation areas
2.) The World Bank
A- their role as the main financier of large dam projects
3.) Nations in debt from construction of dams
4.) Resources not allocated like promised
5.) Overlook the impacts of the dam in order to gain status/power/control

V. Alternative methods to dams
A.) Methods that have a less severe impact on the environment
B.) Methods that have a less severe impact on the economy
C.) Using the money to research “greener” alternatives rather than jumping into ANOTHER dam project
D.) Re-using/maintaining dams ALREADY built, opposed to building more
E.) New ideas proposed (solar energy, hydrogen fuel cell technology, and safe nuclear technology)
F.) Dam De-Commissioning

VI. Conclusion
1.) Summarize key points
2.) Reiterate thesis and position

RJA #9b: Argument

RJA#9b: Argument

Research Question:
Should we continue to build dams even though they cause significant damage economically and environmentally?

Thesis/claim:
Production of dams should be stopped because of the extreme economic and environmental impacts they incur.

4 Reasons:
- Construction of dams causes a mass displacement of people that rely on the agriculture rich areas (that are about to be destroyed because of the dam) for their livelihood. They are relocated often times in urban areas and have to re-learn how to live
- Dams completely reshape the ecosystems and biodiversity of rivers. By doing this, plants and animals that once relied on the river for nourishment are forced to relocate themselves, adapt, or die.
- Dams breed disease. Large lakes (reservoirs) that pool up behind a dam trap and warm the water. This becomes a breeding ground and active area for bugs that are prone to carrying disease. (e.g. mosquitoes carrying malaria)
- Dams also trap sediment that normally would be rich with nutrients to sustain life downstream. Sometimes the sediment can be so thick that it takes up more room than water in the reservoir.

3 objections/counterarguments:
- Dams provide a “good” source of hydro-electricity, providing power to thousands of people
- Dams supply fresh drinking water to areas in need
- Dams ration water through irrigation to drought prone/stricken areas
- Dams are a better alternative to power rather than coal

RJA#9a: Thesis Statement

Research Question:
Should we continue to build dams even though they cause significant damage economically and environmentally?

Precise Claim:
Production of dams should be stopped because of the extreme economic and environmental impacts they incur.

Reasons/blueprint:
- dams hinder the natural flow of water that ecosystems/fish/forests rely upon
- dams significantly reduce fish populations by blocking their migratory/spawning patterns
- dams increase the salinity of the water making it nearly impossible for agriculture once the water becomes “water-logged”
- while they’re meant to reduce flooding, they can and do actually aid in flooding by overflowing
- diminish the land by deforestation in order to make room for all the accommodations that come along with dam construction
- spread disease
- reservoirs from newly built dams attract developers (golf courses, resorts etc)
- dams displace thousands if not millions of people
- resettlement locations and plans are barely adequate reparations for moving
- displaced persons are promised “x,y, and z” but very rarely ever receive anything promised
- people have been known to starve to death in “resettlement and rehabilitation” sites
- Average cost overrun of dams is 56% (proving that they cost more than they’re worth)
- Funding for large dams isn’t in the interest of the people, but in the interest of big business/corporations
- People who don’t receive power from dams end up paying high taxes for it (almost as much as the people receiving fresh water/power etc from it)

Complete thesis statement:
Production of dams should be stopped because of the devastating effects they bring about economically and environmentally in regards to diminished ecosystems and biodiversity, the mass displacement of people, and the large debt they accrue.

RJA#8b: Evaluation Check

http://astults.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja-7a-evaluation-of-sources.html#comment-form

http://mgheng2010.blogspot.com/2010/03/rja-7a-evaluation-of-sources.html#comment-form

RJA #8a: Quotation, Paraphrase, and Summary

PASSAGE:
http://www.narmada.org/gcg/gcg.html

Further upstream, where the silt deposits have not yet become a problem, there's another problem. Landless people (predominantly tribal people and Dalits) have traditionally cultivated rice, fruit and vegetables on the rich, shallow silt banks the river leaves when it recedes in the dry months. Every now and then, the engineers manning the Bargi Dam (way upstream, near Jabalpur) release water from the reservoir without warning. Downstream, the water level in the river suddenly rises. Hundreds of families have had their crops washed away several times, leaving them with no livelihood.

PARAPHRASE:

Local tribal villagers/dalits heavily rely on silt banks left by the river to grow their rich agricultural pallet. However, as engineers from the nearby dam release water from it without warning, it floods the crops the villagers rely on for sustainability. This in turn, leaves the villagers without no livelihood.

SUMMARY:

Landless villagers living around one of India's largest dams are constantly affected by the inconsistent flow of water let out of the dam by engineers without warning. These local villagers rely on silt banks from the river to grow crops, which in turn sustains their livelihood. With unexpected water flow from the dam, it floods their crops, and the villagers cannot make a living.

PARAGRAPH (ellipsis/brackets):

Most people are only familiar with the positive aftermath regarding the construction of large dams. It (in essence) supplies fresh drinking water to millions of people, it provides irrigated water in times of need, and a consistent flow to meet human demands. However, often times we do not consider the socio-economic impact that dams have on people. Whether it is resettling entire villages or communities, or simply disturbing the lifestyles of people living around dams, we fail to consider the effects dams have on humans. A group of tribal villagers in India rely on the silt banks left from the river when the dry months arrive to fuel their agricultural lifestyle. This group of villagers use their crops as a means of sustainability, however "every now and again the engineers [. . .] release water from the reservoir, [. . . .] and downstream water levels rise, flooding the crops time and time again," (Roy) leaving the villagers unable to sustain their way of life.

RJA #7b: Field Research Suggestions

Jeff Auger: Global Climate Change
http://jeffauger.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-6c-field-research-options.html#comment-form

Alex Tempest-Mitchell: Dangers of Underage Drinking
http://tempestmitchell.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-6c-field-research-options.html#comment-form

RJA #7a: Evaluation of Sources

1.) Reference Article
"Position Paper on Dams and Environment" by Louis Jean Genepi
- I thought this article did a great job at presenting information for both sides of the fence regarding dams. The article is thorough by breaking down the article into many sections to ensure that they cover all aspects of dam construction. They emphasize the positives AND negatives in a very objective way. The article was written in the last 10 years, which I've heard that anything in the last 10years is fairly relevant and up to date. I think they could have done a much better job at citing their sources, and information, they provide so much information, but don't do a great job at documenting it.

2.) Book
Pearce, Fred. When the Rivers Run Dry. Boston: Beacon Press, 2006. Print.
- This book takes a clear stance on the economic and environmental impacts of dams, and presents compelling statistics with credible sources. It was published in 2006, and since it was not a work funded by The World Bank, it seeks to provide the truth on BOTH sides about dams. He gives undeniable statistics, that when compared with other works, seems fairly accurate. Unlike the previous article I just mentioned, he cites all his information clearly. He also uses interviews, and statements from leading political figures that only aid in his argument. I particularly like when he uses excerpts from the former commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation (who favors dams) and how he is extremely against dams and their negative affects. It makes for a very compelling argument!

3.) Periodical
Roy, Arundhati. The Greater Common Good. India: India book Distributor (Bombay), 1999. Print.
- Probably my favorite article, I love this because she gives the human side of dams. Yes it affects the environment and economy, however she gives the account FIRST HAND of the people. She is a renowned activist for social justice, so she dedicates her life to this kind of thing. She cites ALL her information, and when you check up on her references, they are legit. She frequently publishes articles, she frequently gives speeches, and travels all over to raise awareness, this to me establishes credibility because she doesn't just give an opinion and disappear. She gives good comparisons, statistics, images and primary sources! She wrote this article in 1999, which is still pretty current.

4.) Website
http://iresearch-reporter.com
- This website was amazing! I really love it. The articles seem very scholarly, and relevant. I like the breakdown of "key topics," "possibly useful," and "selected sources." It gives you a variety of elements to choose from based on your needs. I didn't find many articles that were outdated, or irrelevant. Most articles supplied good information, on both sides of my topic, it seemed objective which is helpful, because then you aren't always sifting through biased works.

RJA #6c: Field Research Options

Survey:
- I'd like to survey a very wide genre of people (different ages, social status, ethnicity etc) and ask for their general impression of dams, their basic knowledge of them, and whether they would be for or against one. I would like to see how the differences in people influences their answer, or not.

Interview:
- Ideally I would like to interview someone who has been affected by the construction of a dam, either by displacement for building, or by a flood caused by the dam. This will require some leg work, but I think will be worth the effort.

Museum:
- I would like to visit a museum that is dedicated to the knowledge of dams, or maybe a virtual visitor center if I can not physically go to a museum/visitor center that is close enough.

RJA #6b: Social Media and Multimedia

Social Media Search Tools
1.) www.trendpedia.com
Keywords Used: economic impact + dams, environment and dams, funding + dams
Search Strategies: boolean combinations
Date of Search: n/a
Number of Hits: 1
Relevance of Hits: 5
2.) www.qwika.com
Keywords Used: economic impact of dams + environment, displacement + dams, communities and dams, environment +dams
Search Strategies: boolean
Date of Search: Oct 2007
Number of Hits: 22,000
Relevance of Hits: 3


Multimedia Search Tools
1.) www.blinx.com
Keywords Used: dams are harmful, economic impacts of dam, dams and the environment
Search Strategies: using different keyword sentences
Date of Search: APR 10, 2008
Number of Hits: 339
Relevance of Hits: 4

RJA #6a: Websites

1.)
SEARCH ENGINE
www.duckduckgo.com
KEYWORDS: dams + environment, dams, dams + economy
SEARCH STRATEGIES: I looked for search engines that were Boolean compatible
DATE OF SEARCH: Nov 16, 2000
NUMBER OF HITS: doesn't give a specific number like google, but there was a plethora of very relevant articles that popped up.
RELEVANCE OF HITS: 5

2.)
META & MULTI SEARCH ENGINES
www.carrot2.org
KEYWORDS: economy + dams, economy + environment + dams
SEARCH STRATEGIES: Again, used the Boolean search, I find it to be the most effective
DATE OF SEARCH: OCT 2005
NUMBER OF HITS: 152,000
RELEVANCE OF HITS: 5

3.)
DIRECTORIES
http://search.yahoo.com
KEYWORDS: dams
SEARCH STRATEGIES: trying various directory websites to find out which one had the most relevant academic articles
DATE OF SEARCH: MAR 2010
NUMBER OF HITS: 861
RELEVANCE OF HITS: 3

4.)
INVISIBLE WEB SEARCH TOOLS
www.incywincy.com
KEYWORDS: dams, dams + environment + economic impact, environment affected + dams, displacement + dams
SEARCH STRATEGIES: Again, looking at all the different web search tools, I found for my topic that incywincy.com was the most effective. The others didn't produce nearly the amount of information for my topic as this one did.
DATE OF SEARCH:
NUMBER OF HITS: 8,887
RELEVANCE OF HITS: 4

5.)
OTHER SEARCH TOOLS
http://iresearch-reporter.com
KEYWORDS: economic impact of dams
SEARCH STRATEGIES: I reviewed most of the misc search tools, and found iresearch to be fascinating and so very helpful! It helps break down the larger more complex ideas into easily understandable material.
DATE OF SEARCH: n/a
NUMBER OF HITS: n/a
RELEVANCE OF HITS: 5

RJA #5c: Reference Ariticles

www.debatepedia.com
Debate: The Gorges Dam: Is it a good idea?
Last Revised: Nov 22, 2009

www.pbs.org/buildingbig dams

These were the only two online references I could find that were relevant and helpful.

RJA #5b: Periodical Aricles

1.)
Title: Development and Large Dams: A Global Perspective
Author: Asit K Biswas & Cecilia Tortajada
Pages: 9-21
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
International Journal of Water Resources Development, March 2001.

Resource: academic search premier, EBSCO, Auraria Library
Keywords: negative economic impacts of dams
Hits: 198,639
Relevance: 4
Date: Mar 2001

2.)
Title: Conservation and Improvement of the Environment in Dam Reservoirs
Author: Joji Harada, Nario Yasuda
Pages: 77-96, p 20 has 2 charts, 4 diagrams, 3 graphs
Volume: 20
Issue: 1
Resource: EBSCO, Auraria Library, Academic Search Premier
Keywords: environment + dams
Hits: 100,987

Relevance: 4
Date: Mar 2004

3.)
Title: Development and Change
Author: Ranjit Dwivedi
Pages: 36-43
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Resource: Academic Search Premier
Keywords: displacement of people + dams
Hits: 138,738
Relevance: 5
Date: Jan 1999

RJA #5a: Books

1.)
Title: The Future of Large Dams: dealing with social, environmental, institutional, and political costs.
Author: Thayer Scudder
Copyright: 2005
Publisher: Earthscan in UK & USA, 2005.

2.)
Title: Indirect Economic Impacts of Dams: Case studies from India, Egypt and Brazil
Editors: Ramesh Bhatia, Rita Cestti, Monica Scatasta, R.P.S. Malik
Published: 2008 by Academic Foundation
Copyright: 2008 by The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, The World Bank

3.)
Title: Involuntary Resettlement Sourcebook: Planning and Implementation in Development Projects
Author: The World Bank
Copyright: 2004, The World Bank.

4.)
Title: Internal displacement in South Asia
Editors: Paula Banerjee, Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury, Samir Kumar Das
Copyright: 2005 by Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group
Published: 2005 by Sage Publications India Pvt Ltd.

5.)
Title: Water:The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization
Author: Steven Soloman
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Harper Collins, New York, NY
Edition: 1st ed.
Research used: Barnes and Nobel Bookstore
6.)
Title: When The Rivers Run Dry
Author: Fred Pearce
Copyright: 2006
Publisher: Beacon Press Books, Boston MA
Research used: Barnes and Noble Bookstore

For Books #1-4
Research Used: Google Books
Date of Search: 2/19/2010, 2/22/2010
Keywords:
- Displacement by dams (hits 2,300) --Relevance 5
- Negative social impact of dams (hits 24,400) -- Relevance 4
- Social impact of dams (hits 4,420) -- Relevance 5
- Resettlement because of dams (hits 1,895) -- Relevance 5
- Economic impact of dams (hits 1,740) -- Relevance 3
- World bank + dams (hits 6,300) -- Relevance 4
- Damage caused by dams (hits 15,200) -- Relevance 5

RJA #4c: Research Question Check

http://tempestmitchell.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-3c-research-question.html#comment-form

http://smcp1907.blogspot.com/2010/02/rja-3c.html#comment-form

RJA #4b: Search Strings

http://scholar.google.com
- dams + environment: environmental effects of dams and impoundments, global scale of environmental effects of hydrological alterations
- dams + environment + economics: sustainable development: lessons from success, economics of reservoir sedimentation and sustainable management of dams, environmental economics and sustainable development, environmental levies and distortinary taxation
- community + dams + impact: social impact assessment, temperature on fish and macroinvertebrate communities below small dams, communities of the Shoalhaven River 20 years after construction of Tallowa Dam, Undaming Rivers: a review of the ecological impacts of dam removal, children living near dams in northern Ethiopia: community based incidence survey
- economic AND environment AND dam: environmental preservation, uncertainty, and irreversibility,
- economic AND environment NEAR/20 dams: World Bank and India's Economic Development, Conversion of a flood control system to a sustainable system

RJA #4a: Keywords

adwords.google.com
- impact of dams: environmental impact of dams
- dams: earth dams, river dams, dam construction, teton dam failure, history of dams, dam safety
- economics and dams: dam breach analysis, economics department

word.su
- dam: leve, decameter, dyke
- environment: surroundings
- community: community of interests, biotic community, residential districts
- water: body of water, water supply, water system

visualthesaurus.com
- dam: dyke

metaglossary.com
- dam: impound, reservoir, divert, barrier, appurtenant

RJA #3c: Research Question

Should we continue to build dams to stimulate economies at the expense of the environment?

Would communities be better off (economically and environmentally) without the construction of a dam?

Who is most affected by the building of a dam?

What are the harmful long term effects of dams on ecosystems?

Where are the most suitable places for dams to be built?

When did people begin to notice the adverse affects of dams?

RJA #3b: Research Topic Focus

There are many controversial debates about dams in general. Political, economic, environmental, ethical, etc kinds of debates. I think it generally boils down to whether or not it is positive or negative for the environment and economy. In regards to that, by building dams it generates hydro-electric power, creates jobs, and in turn has the ability to stimulate the economy. However, depending on where the dam is built, it can have an adverse affect on the local environment and community. By building these dams, it can cause massive flooding, and significantly change ecosystems. These significant changes in ecosystems affect the food chain, and the ebb and flow of rivers, which are connected to an even larger system than their locality. Also, the machines used to construct a dam, and the harsh conditions suffered by the environment are a huge reason why environmentalists oppose dams. So you see, its a hard debate, do we take continue to build dams as it promotes a good economy (especially in poorer countries/areas where jobs and power are needed), but do we continue all the while compromising our environment, which is obviously vital to our survival. The debates continue!

RJA #3a: Research Topic Exploration

I found Chapter 3 to be very helpful, as well as the websites provided by Prof. Clark. By doing some surface research I feel like I was able to narrow down my topic a bit more, and focus on one or two main aspects for my research.

Based on the very "superficial" (superficial in the sense that I have not read into great depth on my subject) knowledge that I have read over thus far, I would like to base my research on the environmental and economic affects of dam building (and maintaining.)

I feel as though I could narrow my research enough to really explain the effects a dam has environmentally, i.e. flooding, changing upstream and downstream ecosystems, altering the food chain, the consequences (losing species of animals etc) as a result.

Also, I would like to focus on the economic aspect of dams as well, I feel as though I could effectively tie it in with the environmental effects in a positive manner. Maybe give some examples how it can help out us (human kind) in the means of creating jobs etc, but in the long run, because of how altered the ecosystems become, and the damages caused (flooding etc) then it adversely affects us in the long run.

This approach would hopefully keep the research interesting, and give a big picture view of my topic.

RJA #2b: Research Topic

I chose my research topic to be about dams and the effect they have on ecosystems, but also the effects they have on the people in the communities they are being built in. I would like to primarily focus on the dams being built or ones that have been built in India, Japan and various Asian countries where it is densely populated. I chose this topic because one usually do not associate dams with being harmful directly to the population, and sadly enough most people do not even know that dams significantly alter ecosystems. I chose this topic to explore it more in depth for myself, but also to help educate others who might know little to nothing on this subject as well.

I have limited knowledge on dams and their effects thus far, which is why I was so interested in exploring this topic further. I was exposed to this information first hand in my Concepts and Connects of Geography class, which was a class that focused more on the socioeconomic problems of regions, rather than physical geography itself. My professor was especially interested in water problems, as a problem with water can and does directly affect everything. We read a very long article written by an academic scholar in India, who was trying to raise awareness about a billion dollar dam being funded by the World Bank, even after they found out that it would displace millions of people. The facts were astonishing, so much so that I was fascinated to learn more. There are several arguments to be raised, one being that a dam will create jobs, stimulate the economy, generate power etc. On the other hand, big businesses that are eager to fund a massive project such as this and make a profit, are more often than not okay with overlooking safety regulations to get the project moving along, while compromising the lives of thousands if not millions of people in return for profit. There is so many factors and arguments that play into funding and building a dam, but these couple of arguments are what I would like to focus on.

What I am unsure of or do not know about this topic is hard facts and statistics. I am not aware of major violations that occur, or what secret deals are being made by local governments and big business to get a dam built for the right price. Also, I would like to know more about the citizens resistance, movements that occur to stop the building of dams, but also more in depth of what people are willing to compromise (morals, ethics etc) for big paychecks from building dams. I would love to find more in depth information regarding the toll a dam takes on not only its local ecosystems, but how overtime that sends a ripple effect into the rest of the environment. I would like to read more about each individual take on both arguments, that being for and against the building of dams, individual accounts of people affected by this personally. After all is said and done, it is then that I believe I can formulate a good argument, and have a better understanding how all of it is interrelated.

RJA#2a: Possible Topics

1.) The real effects of Dams. Are they helpful or harmful? Considering not only the re-routing of water and it's effect on ecosystems, but the lack of concern and displacement of people

2.) Should children/adolescents who commit serious crimes (i.e. murder etc) be held accountable and tried as adults?

3.) The role that mega-corporations play in Government, how this persuades decisions made "for the people."

4.) Water Privatization. When big business try to com-modify and make a profit on a natural resource that should be free for everyone, and how this affects (mainly) third world countries.

5.) Government subsidies. How removing the trade tariffs between the USA and Mexico has adversly affected their farming economy.

RJA #1: Areas of Academic Interest

- Dams: Helpful or Harmful?

- Water Privatization

- Economic History
- Agricultural Society vs. Industrialized Society
- which is better suited for The United States?

- Big Business (IMF, World Bank) and Government
- how they affect policies/law more than the voice of the people

- Criminal Justice
- should children be held accountable for their crimes?