by Hydropower Reform Coalition | Dec 29, 2021
This research provides a global-scale evaluation of the impact of dam construction by using a variety of global spatial databases. In particular, it provides insight into the impacts on economy, population, and greenness of 631 recently built hydropower dams by region and dam size. They discovered that 631 recently built hydropower dams were associated with reduced local economy, population, and greenness in areas within 50 km of the dam sites, particularly in the Global South. This is contrary to claims thatdams improve the livelihoods of people as well as ecosystemservices. The research highlights that policy interventions are needed to address impacts on populations and urban land near small and medium dams.
by Colleen McNally-Murphy | Jun 10, 2021
Abstract: We analyzed United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) documents prepared for 29 recently licensed hydropower projects and created two novel datasets to improve understanding of the environmental study life cycle, defined here as the process...
by Colleen McNally-Murphy | May 26, 2021
Abstract Collectively, reservoirs constitute a significant global source of C-based greenhouse gases (GHGs). Yet, global estimates of reservoir carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions remain uncertain, varying more than four-fold in recent analyses. Here we...
by Hydropower Reform Coalition | Jan 28, 2021
Abstract This research uses a multi-criteria analysis tool and field site observation to critically analyse a network of dams across a single watershed in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The analysis offers a template to better understand some nuances and complexities...
by Colleen McNally-Murphy | Oct 16, 2020
Abstract: Hydropower is usually considered as a low-carbon electricity source, as it does not lead to direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, unlike producing electricity from fossil fuels. However, the flooding of lands following the construction of the dam generally...