TMP Public electricity sector assessment demonstrates that solar and wind represent the least-cost pathway to meeting Namibia’s current and future energy demand FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2023 Media contacts: Aqeelah Hassen, Communications and Campaigns Coordinator, International Rivers, ahassen@internationalrivers.org Windhoek, Namibia – Today, International Rivers and EarthLife Namibia released a study by TMP Public on…
Read MorePress Release | COP27: Groups warn of severe climate and human rights risk of new hydropower dams and schemes
Dams and hydropower schemes create major loss and damage, including producing significant amounts of methane, biodiversity loss, and community displacement. In a warming world, droughts and flooding make hydropower an unreliable energy choice and an increasing danger to downstream communities. An urgent shift away from false solutions that harm people and ecosystems is essential. For…
Read MoreGuinea is at a crossroads in meeting its energy needs and respecting rights
New study shows solar alternatives would cost less and outperform the proposed Koukoutamba Dam in Guinea by Josh Klemm & Ibrahima Kalil Bamba During a trip to Guinea last month, International Rivers and Centre de Commerce International pour le Développement (CECIDE) hosted a launch event for our latest study, “The feasibility of solar PV to…
Read MoreBrazil’s Legislative Assembly approves a law draft that prohibits the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Cuiabá River
Yesterday, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Mato Grosso in Brazil approved the law draft that prohibits the construction of dams along the entire length of the Cuiabá River. The draft was authored by state deputy Wilson Santos (PSDB) and was created in response to the proposition of six dams on the river that…
Read More10 reasons why hydropower dams are a false climate solution
Originally published in Alternet by Josh Klemm and Eugene Simonov Not only does hydroelectric power fail to prevent catastrophic climate change, but it also renders countries more vulnerable to climate change while emitting significant amounts of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases. A river is a spectacular living corridor that feeds forests, fisheries, coastal ecosystems, and…
Read MoreThe youth say NO to destructive large hydropower! – Alternative development exists!
By Ayesha DSouza, South Asia Program Coordinator. Mega Hydropower projects continue to be pushed in the fragile Indian Himalayas, often at the cost of the local communities and disguised as the only solution to local issues of development. One such place is Dzongu, the land of the Lepcha community in North Sikkim. Already home to…
Read MoreSustainable Energy for all: making a case for community-scale micro-hydro as the solution
By Nalori Chakma, South Asia Senior Programme Coordinator, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia The brief on Sustainable Energy for all: making a case for community-scale micro-hydro as the solution (2021) highlights the importance of community-led energy systems, with focus on micro hydro. It gives detailed recommendations on micro hydro power and how communities can lead…
Read MoreExpert Interview: Dipti Vaghela Explains How Community-based Micro-Hydropower is a People Empowerment Energy Solution
While our work at International Rivers focuses on fighting mega dams and destructive hydropower, we know that not all hydropower is the same nor bad for the environment. In fact, community-based hydropower — such as pico, micro, and mini hydro — has provided socio-economic and environmental benefits to thousands of off-grid communities in the Asia…
Read MoreHow Hydropower Development Devastated the Loktak Wetlands and the Livelihoods of Women and Communities
By: Jiten Yumnam, Nalori Dhammei Chakma and Petro Kotze The Meitei people call the Loktak Wetlands in India’s North East region Loktak Lairembi or, the mother goddess. The wetlands are the foundation of their socio-economic development and rich cultural heritage, but has been decimated by the construction of the contentious and controversial 105 MW Loktak…
Read MoreAnimación de la Mesa Ciudadana por un río San Pedro sin Represas refuerza la protección del río San Pedro, en Chile
Por Isadora Soares Con sus 77 km de extensión, el hermoso paisaje del río San Pedro, en el sur de Chile, esconde la lucha silenciosa de la región contra el ya avanzado proyecto de construcción de la Central Hidroeléctrica San Pedro, proyecto que está interrumpido desde 2009. La animación de poco más de cinco minutos…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE | COP26: UN human rights experts highlight continued human rights impacts of dams as civil society, Indigenous leaders call for UN climate financing mechanisms to exclude hydropower
For Immediate Release: November 9, 2021 For Spanish: https://intlrv.rs/3C4CUOS For Portuguese: https://intlrv.rs/3qoyD6A Glasgow, Scotland – As negotiators convened at COP26 in Glasgow attempt to break the deadlock on emissions cuts and financing mechanisms, a diverse set of voices are calling for the UNFCCC to exclude hydropower from consideration, citing dams’ grave human rights and climate…
Read More