In all, by the end of the twentieth century mankind had…
““In all, by the end of the twentieth century mankind had built some 45,000 large dams; during the global peak of dam building in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, some 13 were being erected on average every day. World reservoir capacity quadrupled between 1960 and 2000, so that some three to six times more water than existed in all rivers was stored behind giant dams. World hydropower output doubled, food production multiplied two and half times, and overall economic production grew sixfold.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Massive dam building dramatically increased water storage, power, food, and economic growth in the 20th century.
In simple terms: Dams boosted resources and growth.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both benefits and environmental costs of large infrastructure.
Themes
development
resource management
environment
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
historical
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- energy policy
- climate adaptation
- agricultural expansion
Key Concepts
hydrology
energy economics
ecosystem disruption
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the long‑term ecological impacts?
- How can future projects balance growth and sustainability?
A Different Perspective
Large projects can cause ecological harm and displacement.