Bruce Babbitt, former U.S. secretary of the interior in the Clinton administration, will deliver the keynote address to open a Yale conference on the social, ecological and economic impact of dams.
Titled "Global Perspectives on Large Dams," the conference will be held Friday-Sunday, Nov. 3-5, at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies (F&ES).
The construction of large dams has been the source of great controversy in communities around the globe. Dams often provide flood control, irrigation for agricultural crops, energy as an alternative to fossil fuels or nuclear power, and economic development. However, they also disturb the habitats of fish and other aquatic organisms, alter river landscapes and displace entire communities.
"Throughout the 20th century and recently, large dams have proved to be the most contentious of development projects," notes Ramachandra Guha, author of "Environmentalism: A Global History" and a visiting professor at F&ES this fall. "To their proponents, these dams represent clean energy and reliable water supplies. To their detractors, they spell doom and destruction."
The conference will promote discussion between academics, technical experts, social justice advocates, politicians and engineers on domestic and international dam projects.
The event will open at 5 p.m. on Friday with a lecture by Babbitt about the state of dams in the United States and across the globe. His talk -- "Do We Need More Dams? Or Fewer?" -- will take place in Bowers Auditorium in Sage Hall, 205 Prospect St.
"This is a very timely conference because major dam projects are being proposed all over the world," says Babbitt. "Around the world, and especially in Chile and in China, dams will have major impacts on indigenous peoples and fisheries, many of which are irreversible. It is our responsibility to formulate a strong set of criteria by which to judge these projects, rather than just sitting idly by."
The conference will continue 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday at Sage Hall with a look at dam removal in the United States. Topics will include the laws governing dams, tribal perspectives, fisheries and the rationale for dam removal. Speakers will include Tim Palmer, the author of "Rivers of America"; Don Knowles of the National Marine Fisheries Service; Jim Norton of the Yunnan Great Rivers Project; Rebecca Miles of the Nez Perce tribes; and Steve Mashuda, a lawyer with Earthjustice.
Sunday's program, to be held 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Sage Hall, will focus on dam building in the developing world. Topics will include sustainable development, the role of dams in climate change, and food security and health. Speakers will include Wayne Edwards of the International Commission on Large Dams; Peter Bosshard of the International Rivers Network; Ari Hershowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Lester Chitsulo of the World Health Organization; and Jamie Workman, former secretariat of the World Commission on Dams.
The cost for the public to attend the conference is $35. Yale students, faculty and staff can attend for free. Registration is available online at http://environment.yale.edu/doc/3258/former_interior_secretary_bruce_babbitt_to/.
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