Welcome to The Dam Blog

The Dam Blog is a space to explore the social-ecological impacts of dam proposals and development.

Hydropower is promoted as a form of sustainable development and a mitigation strategy by many organizations and industries within the climate governance community, leading to a global surge in dam construction. Problematically, many of the newly proposed dams are intruding onto Indigenous and First Nations territories, as well as other protected areas, dramatically impacting peoples, their lives, and livelihoods.

The dam debate brings with it an increase in violence against land and water protectors.

Applying a social science lens, I address how place-based relationships between humans and nature are transformed by hydropower and assess how hydro-decisions can be more equitable and just.

I share and discuss the latest news and science regarding dams, specifically as they relate to resistance efforts, climate policy, and sustainability. Additionally, each month I highlight one dam project from around the world with an in-depth review of the local complexities involved in their development.