EcoLur
International “EuroNatur” Foundation and “Riverwatch” organization have launched a campaign against the development of SHPs for the sake of the Balkan rivers. The slogan of the campaign is “Save the Blue Heart of Europe”. During TAIEX Workshop on Reconciling Hydropower Production and Flood Protection with Water Management and Nature Protection “EuroNatur” Foundation Project leader Theresa Schiller and “Riverwatch” CEO Ulrich Eichelmann stated about this during the workshop held on 10-11 October. There are 668 HPPs existing on the Balkan rivers, and another 2706 are planned to be constructed, out of which 49% in the strictly protected areas of nature. The projects are pushed forward by the World Bank (WB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and KfW. According to the speakers, HPPs will jeopardize river fish world, while the Balkan rivers contain 69 endemic fish species. The strictly protected areas of nature, landscapes, biodiversity and affected communities will suffer.
According to the “Save the Blue Heart of Europe, Balkan rives under attack from Hydropower Lobby”, HPP development endangers not only local landscapes, but also animal and plant species, but also violates legal provisions and European directives. “Hydropower is neither for the production of renewable nor for green energy. It leaves mass long-lasting effect on the rivers and biodiversity. The necessary infrastructures – roads, electric lines, pipes, will disturb the valleys…According to the law, their capacity shouldn’t excess 10 MW. They produce little energy greatly damaging the nature. In 2011 there were 23000 SHPPs recorded in the European Union, around 91% (21000) produced 13% of the electricity. Larger HPPs present only 9% of hydropower capacities, but they produce 87% of total electricity produced. Around 500-750 million people worldwide suffer from direct or indirect impact of dams, which are as follows: reduction of fish reserves, limited water opportunities for agriculture and decrease in drinking water quality.
The construction of dams has resulted in the resettlement of 40-80 million people. The water reservoirs produce 4% of greenhouse gases (methane). Dams promote climate change in the same way, as air flights do,” the report says.
The studies include facts presented by environmentalists from different countries about the state of their countries.
Peter Bosshard, “International Rivers”, “Because of dam construction and other factors from 1970 to 2008 population species in freshwater reduced by 37% more than populations in other ecosystem. Rainforest water populations have reduced by 70%. Dams kill fish.”
Robert Masonis, “Trout Unlimited”, “We acknowledged the fact of harmful impact of dams in the US with great difficulties. Many fish species suffered in the rivers rich in dams. River communities also suffer. Currently we are removing dams in the USA. We don’t construct them any more.”
Azzm Alwash, "Nature Iraq" and Winner of the Goldman Prize 2013, "Millions of people suffer because of dms. I have witnessed this in my home country Iraq.Now dams upstream in Turkey, Syria and Iram are turning the Tigris and Euphrates rivers into small canals and instead of being the source of life for the marshes of southern Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, they bring slow death to the agricultural lands where civilization started. Hydropower is not green, dams cause deserts."
These photos were used in "Save The Blue Heart of Europe" campaign.
October 17, 2016 at 15:48