In the Amazon, a hydroelectric dam created ‘green islands,’ but 26 years later, most of the animals had disappeared, including mammals, large birds, and turtles

Read the full article here.

A hydroelectric dam in the Amazon created isolated green islands, causing animal populations to decline.

For years, large-scale hydropower has provided substantial amounts of electricity. Now, as global demand for renewable energy rises, an unprecedented growth in dam construction has been triggered.

A recent study revealed the long-term effects of this infrastructure, raising concerns among conservationists. When the first hydropower dams were constructed, Earth’s natural water cycles were more predictable.

Now, as global warming reaches new record-high temperatures more often, these cycles become disrupted.Large-scale hydropower infrastructure is essential for meeting both energy demands and climate mandates.

However, to protect irreplaceable ecosystems, project development must undergo changes moving forward.

Developers must conduct proper environmental impact assessments while keeping location needs in mind. Lastly, project development and management must be done responsibly to ensure true sustainability.

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Source: Wikipedia