2009: Completion of the Three Gorges Dam and China expected to emit more CO2 than any other country

Although completion of the project was originally scheduled for 2009, it is now uncertain when the Three Gorges Dam in China will be finished. The delay is in part due to the addition of generators and other facilities to plans. Since the beginning of construction in December of 1994, the project has required the relocation of close to 1.4 million Chinese residents.

Today, the Three Gorges Dam is the biggest man-made producer of electricity from renewable energy, as it generates tremendous amounts of hydropower. However, debate is increasing over the downfalls of the project. Aside from the deforestation and massive population displacement involved in the dam's construction, there are now increasing concerns over a number of additional environmental problems, including water pollution, landslides, and the exacerbation of the area's geological fragility.

These concerns only join the already long list of China's environmental problems. In 2009, China is expected to surpass the US to become the country with the largest CO2 emissions. With its booming economy fueled by emissions-intensive coal, China will have to carefully evaluate its policies in order to curb its contributions to global pollution and climate change.