Living on Earth: The Battery of Southeast Asia

Date: 
Friday, October 23, 2009

The Nam Theun River, Downstream of the Nam Theun 2 Dam - 2008 © Marcus Rhinelander
The Nam Theun River, Downstream of the Nam Theun 2 Dam - 2008 © Marcus Rhinelander


Carl Middleton is interviewed about the Mekong river and Nam Theun 2 on "Living on Earth."

Across Southeast Asia, hydroelectric dams are being planned and built along the biologically diverse Mekong River and its tributaries. In Laos, seven large dams are currently under construction, tapping much of the electricity for export to bring in needed revenue and development for the struggling nation. But environmental groups in the region oppose these big dams, calling them threats to Laos' amazing biodiversity. Mary Stucky traveled to Laos and has the report.

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