LANDSLIDE STRIKES ZHOUQU COUNTY, CHINA

On August 8, 2010 at approximately midnight, a deadly landslide had disrupted the Zhoqu community. It was caused by heavy rainfall and flooding in the Gansu Province. The landslide was very devastating because after the heavy rain, there was a buildup of water behind a dam of debris blocking a small river to the north of the city of Zhouqu when the dam broke, around 1,800,000 cubic meters of mud and rocks swept through the town, in a surge reported as up to five storeys high, covering more than 300 low-rise homes and burying at least one village entirely. 

The landslide was predicted according to Gyurme Dorje's Tibet Handbook, the forest region of Zhoqu  has, since the 1950s, "shrunk by 30% and the reserve of timber reduced by 25% due to overfilling. The sand in the river water has increased by 60%, and the water volume has reduced by 8%, resulting in increased flooding and drought." Furthermore, there were between 47 and 53 hydroelectric construction projects in recent years, with 41 completed and 12 approaching deadline, according to government data. These together have caused 749,000 tons of water and soil erosion and over 3,000,000 cubic meters of bulldozed material. In 2006, a Lanzhou University report concluded that these projects have made the whole area a volatile danger-zone. These predictions could have warned the Zhoqu community and they would have been able to evacuate before the predicted landslide. 

Landslides have major hazards that may include liquefaction, structural hazards (buildings collapsing), and destruction of utility lines (gas, water, electricity) and roads. 

The restoration of a permanent water supply started in Zhouqu in northwest China's Gansu Province as the rebuilding of the mudslide-battered area picked up, according to Xinhua news agency.

The new system would provide 12,000 tones of water a day, enough for residents in urban areas.

Safe drinking water will be available within five months, according to China First Railway Group, which is organizing the project.

Zhouqu's main water supplies were cut after the mudslides and emergency water containers have been used to provide safe water for the last month.

Deforestation

1) You are going to research deforestation in your country. Give me some information on it. (5 marks)

- From Gezi Park to the Black Sea coast, whether with the push of municipalities or Turkey's central government, trees are being cut down to accelerate urban transformation plans, mines, hydro-electric and coal plants, etc. The Turkey government continues to make plans for more projects such as the building of a third airport and bridge in Istanbul which will destroy 2.7 million trees despite the fact that northern Istanbul's forests are important for Istanbul's ecosystem and can have huge consequences. The government continues to pursue these projects for economic gains despite the fact that there have been many protests. 

2) You will explain the Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts that deforestation has had on your country. (6 marks) 

Social:

- With the cutting down of trees, source of oxygen for humans decreases.

Environmental:

- Destroying habitats and ecosystems.

- Biodiversity is lost.

- Vegetation is affected.

Economic:

- Renewable resources - a renewable resource is a resource which is replaced naturally and can be used again. Examples are: oxygen, fresh water, solar energy, timber, and biomass. Renewable resources may also include goods commodities such as wood, paper and leather - cannot be gained again.

3) Look at the information in the Environment and Resources folder that talks about Deforestation in Canada. Based on the information provided do you think that deforestation is a greater threat in your country or Canada? Explain your reasoning using specific examples. (10 marks)

- Deforestation is a greater threat in Turkey than in Canada because unlike Turkey, Canada has a deforestation rate of 0.02% and is among the world's lowest. Canada uses sustainability for forest management and the Canadian government monitors and regularly publish reports on deforestation. In Turkey, they do not use any sustainability methods and there have not been any regular reports to let people know of the changes that deforestation will have, for example, the building of the third airport and bridge in Istanbul will destroy 2.7 million trees but the protests have not stopped the project and so the project will continue on. There are other projects such as the building of a coal plant right by olive fields in Soma, which will affect the agriculture there and food for the people. There has been no consideration of the affects of deforestation. 

Aquaculture

1) Define aquaculture. 

Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food.

2) Pros and Cons.

Social: 

Pros

- Provides jobs for people

- Provides a source of food for people

- Can increase revenue for the city

Cons

- There may be conflict or competition between other fishermen 

- Small local communites negatively affected because of it is an unpredictable enterprise

- Global competition

Environmental: 

Pros

- More emphasis on protecting coastal waters from pollution

- Preserve endangered fish species

- Fish farms can be produced in coastal areas, make artifical ponds; won't affect already existing fish habitats 

Cons

- There may be transfer of diseases and parasites to wild fish populations

- Can pollute water systems with excess nutrients

- Chemicals and antibiotics are polluted

Economic:

Pros

- Can reduce seafood trade deficit

- Reduce fishing pressure on certain wild stocks if it can be produced through aquaculture

- Create jobs for community

Cons

- Global competition

- Conflict with other fishermen or migrating fish

- Can threathen livelihood of fishermen

3) I believe aquaculture is a good thing as it provides jobs for a lot of people. The industry contributes to the revenue and profits for the economy. People are also able to have a source of food that provides nutrients and proteins. However, it is a bad thing in environmental terms because water systems may become polluted, therefore affecting the drinking water for the people.