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Tenotã–mõ Executive Summary

Oswaldo Sevá

Alerts regarding the consequences of hydroelectric projects planned for the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon

Publication of the panel of experts on the Xingu hydroelectric complex, May 2005

Executive Summary

1. Summary of the plans for hydroelectric dams on the Xingu River

An obsession of global engineering is the fixed idea to dam all rivers that have significant hydroelectric potential. Within this vision, rivers are no longer viewed as living flows of water, bio–chemical media which maintain life in equilibrium, including the lives of riverbank dwellers and migratory animals. Instead, rivers are examined using calculators, as if they only existed to be blocked by a giant wall to have their energy exploited.

Related content:

Belo Monte Dam and the Hydro Development of the Xingu

Phillip M. Fearnside (2006) "Dams in the Amazon: Belo Monte and Brazil's Hydroelectric Development of the Xingu River Basin," Environmental Management 38:1.

 

Related content:

Brazil's Senator from Alcoa Hangs by a Sliver

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 10:26am

 

Sen. José Sarney Receives Aluminum Eagle from President of Alcoa (Archive  )

Sen. José Sarney Receives Aluminum Eagle from President of Alcoa (Archive  )

José Sarney rose to power in his home state of Maranhão during Brazil's military dictatorship. He ascended to the presidency of Brazil in 1985 when Tancredo Neves, the president-elect, died on the eve of his taking office. Now, his position as president of the Senate, where he wields power second only to that of Lula, is threatened by revelations of abuse of power in secret financial transactions favoring family members and political cronies, and even leaders of his own party are calling for him to step down.

Sarney's fate is of critical importance for the Brazilian dams industry, for Sarney has made Brazil's dam building plans in the Amazon and the promotion of the aluminum industry his personal fiefdom. Sarney was reportedly instrumental in Alcoa and Billiton's decision to base their aluminum plant in São Luís, capital of Maranhão. And, Sarney helped the companies arrange publicly subsidized energy from Tucuruí Dam.

Barrage de Lom Pangar, Cameroon

Alucam Aluminum Smelter
View this page in: English

Alors que plus que la moitié de la population du Cameroon s'attend l'accès à l'électricité, le gouvernement intensifie ses efforts pour la construction du barrage de Lom Pangar, lequel permettrait l’expansion de l’usine de fonte d’aluminium Alucam, aux dépens des abonnés ainsi que des activités locales.

Aluminum in Africa

Terri Hathaway

A case study for Earthlife Africa eThekwini and Friends of the Earth

Related content:

The Aluminum Can's Dirty Little Secret

International Rivers Network, Container Recycling Institute press release


CONTACT: Jenny Gitlitz, CRI Research Dir., Dalton, MA (413) 684.4746
Pat Franklin, CRI Executive Dir., Washington, DC (703) 276.9800
Glenn Switkes, IRN Latin America Dir., São Paulo, Brazil 011.55.11.3822.4157
Peter Bosshard, IRN Policy Dir., Berkeley, CA (510) 848.1155

Related content:

Araguaia & Tocantins Rivers

Xavante indigenous meeting on threats to Araguaia River
View this page in: Português Español

The Araguaia and Tocantins rivers flow from the central plateau northward to the southern channel of the Amazon just upstream from Belém. The Tocantins is an embanked river, with relatively clear water, while the Araguaia is a floodplain river, with a sinuous bed and muddy waters, due to its substantial sediment load. The two rivers converge at Marabá, Brazil.

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