Squamish

Long Description

Canada is much like the rest of the world; we have seen our fair share of natural resource management issues which have led to much debate and controversy. Take a look at these two examples of resource management issues.

Case Study: James Bay Hydroelectric Project - Canada

In the early 1970s the Quebec government and Hydro-Quebec began a mega project (definition: This is a large-scale project that is costly and takes a long period of time to construct.) to develop hydroelectricity on the east coast of James Bay. While hydroelectricity is often seen as a more environmentally-friendly way to generate power, this mega project had both an environmental and social impact in the affected and surrounding regions. The creation of this project required damming and diversion of naturally flowing rivers. Not only did this upset the physical environment of the region, but it also displaced the Cree people who considered this area their traditional home and important hunting, fishing and trapping territory. The damming caused the flooding of over 11,000 km² of land; it caused mercury to leak from rotting vegetation which led to mercury contamination in fish and it contributed to the drowning deaths of over 10,000 caribou. Effects of the decision to create the James Bay Project can still be felt today.

Case Study: Maranhão Logging - Brazil

Maranhão is a forested area in Brazil that has seasonal droughts. This area holds great ecological significance, as the seasonal droughts play an important role in the transition zone between the savannas and the Amazon rainforest. This area is home to both nomadic indigenous peoples, the Awá, and settled indigenous communities. Although logging is illegal in the region, it is happening at an alarming rate, with only 20% of Maranhão’s original forest cover remaining. Loggers and ranchers are also setting fires to cover up their illegal activities which is devastating the culture and the environment of the area.  

Although the James Bay hydroelectric development and the deforestation within the Amazon rainforest region are occurring in different parts of the world, they share many commonalities.