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| founded_date = 1985
| founded_date = 1985
| location = [[Oakland, California]], [[United States]]
| location = [[Oakland, California]], [[United States]]
| key_people = Isabella Winkler and Josh Klemm, Interim Co-Executive Directors<br>Deborah Moore and Gary Cook, Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors
| key_people = Isabella Winkler and Josh Klemm, Interim Co-Executive Directors<br>Melina Selverston, Chair and Astrid Puentes Riaño, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
| area_served = [[World]]wide
| area_served = [[World]]wide
| focus = People-Water-Life
| focus = People-Water-Life
Line 16: Line 16:
}}
}}


'''International Rivers''' is a [[non-profit]], [[non-governmental]], [[Environmentalism|environmental]], and [[human rights]] organization. Founded in 1985 by social and environmental activists, International Rivers works with policy and financial analysts, scientists, journalists, [[Sustainable development|development]] specialists, and volunteers to combat the adverse effects of [[dams]] and their legacies in over 60 countries.
'''International Rivers''' is a [[non-profit|nonprofit]], [[non-governmental|nongovernmental]], [[Environmentalism|environmental]], and [[human rights]] organization. Founded in 1985 by social and environmental activists, International Rivers works with policy and financial analysts, scientists, journalists, development specialists, and volunteers to combat the adverse effects of dams and their legacies that it has identified in over 60 countries.


The organization has staff in [[South Africa]], [[Thailand]], [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[India]], and the United States, who have expertise in a range of issues and who use research, education, and [[Interest group|advocacy]] to achieve the organization's mission.{{CN|date=April 2018}}
The organization has staff in [[South Africa]], [[Thailand]], [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[India]], and the United States, who have expertise in a range of issues and who use research, education, and advocacy to achieve the organization's mission.{{CN|date=April 2018}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
The organization's stated aims are to protect [[river]]s and defend the rights of communities that depend on them. It actively works against the development model with which dams are associated, which it believes to be unsustainable, and promotes alternative solutions for meeting water, [[Energy (society)|energy]], and [[Flood#Flood defences, planning, and management|flood-management]] needs. International Rivers is dedicated to giving dam-affected people the tools to participate in the development of local lands in [[Africa]], [[Asia]], and [[Latin America]].
The organization's stated aims are to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them. It actively works against the development model associated with [[Dam|dams]], which it believes to be unsustainable, and promotes alternative solutions for meeting water, energy, and [[Flood#Flood defences, planning, and management|flood-management]] needs. International Rivers is dedicated to giving dam-affected people the tools to participate in the development of local lands in [[Africa]], [[Asia]], and [[Latin America]].


By facilitating international [[grassroots]] organizing and informed participation, the organization seeks to change the terms of the debate over river development. The group works with its numerous partners to advocate for social reparations, [[Restoration ecology|ecological restoration]], and the decommissioning of existing dams. International Rivers claims to work to clarify the traditionally top-down decision-making of large infrastructure projects. It also argues against the industry's representation of [[hydropower]] with regards to [[climate change]], stating that [[reservoirs]] often produce [[greenhouse gas emissions]] that further impact the [[Environment (biophysical)|environment]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lima|first1=Ivan B T|last2=Ramos|first2=Fernando M|last3=Bambace|first3=Luis A W|last4=Rosa|first4=Reinaldo R|title=Methane Emissions from Large Dams as Renewable Energy Resources: A Developing Nation Perspective|journal=Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change|date=February 2008|volume=13|issue=2|pages=193–206|doi=10.1007/s11027-007-9086-5}}</ref>
By facilitating international [[grassroots]] organizing and informed participation, the organization seeks to change the terms of the debate over river development. The group works with its numerous partners to [[Advocacy|advocate]] for social [[Reparations (transitional justice)|reparations]], [[Restoration ecology|ecological restoration]], and the decommissioning of existing dams. International Rivers works to clarify what it describes as the traditionally top-down decision-making of large infrastructure projects. It also takes a stance against the industry's representation of [[hydropower]] as it relates to [[climate change]]: The organization maintains that [[reservoirs]] often produce [[greenhouse gas emissions]] that further impact the environment.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Lima|first1=Ivan B T|last2=Ramos|first2=Fernando M|last3=Bambace|first3=Luis A W|last4=Rosa|first4=Reinaldo R|title=Methane Emissions from Large Dams as Renewable Energy Resources: A Developing Nation Perspective|journal=Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change|date=February 2008|volume=13|issue=2|pages=193–206|doi=10.1007/s11027-007-9086-5|s2cid=27146726 }}</ref>


==Programs==
==Programs==
International Rivers has undertaken a two-pronged approach to analyzing and promoting viable water and energy solutions. Combining its efforts to change global policy by campaigning on specific key projects, the organization simultaneously addresses the root causes and localized consequences of dam development. Their campaigns throughout [[Africa]], [[China]], [[Latin America]], [[South Asia]], and [[Southeast Asia]] focus on the intersection of dams and climate change, reforming the policies and practices of international financial institutions and promoting water and energy solutions that recognize human rights and environmental sustainability.
International Rivers has undertaken a two-pronged approach to analyzing and promoting viable water and energy solutions. Combining its efforts to change global policy by campaigning on specific key projects, the organization simultaneously addresses the root causes and localized consequences of dam development. The organization's campaigns throughout Africa, China, Latin America, [[South Asia]], and [[Southeast Asia]] focus on the intersection of dams and climate change, reforming the policies and practices of international financial institutions, and promoting water and energy solutions that recognize human rights and [[environmental sustainability]].


==Contributions==
==Contributions==
Among its accomplishments, International Rivers counts its involvement in the formation of the [[World Commission on Dams]] (WCD). The commission was a global, multi-stakeholder body initiated in 1997 by the [[World Bank]] and the [[World Conservation Union]] and was formed in response to growing opposition to dams. During its two-year lifetime, the WCD conducted what is said to be the most exhaustive study of dams completed to date, ultimately evaluating over 1,000 dams in 79 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World Commission on Dams Framework - A Brief Introduction|url=https://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/the-world-commission-on-dams-framework-a-brief-introduction-2654|website=International Rivers|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> In its published final report, the WCD concluded that although "dams have made an important and significant contribution to human development, and benefits derived from them have been considerable ... in too many cases an unacceptable and often unnecessary price has been paid to secure those benefits, especially in social and environmental terms, by people displaced, by communities downstream, by taxpayers and by the [[natural environment]]."<ref>[http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3ADams_and_development.pdf&page=1 WCD final report]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Among its accomplishments, International Rivers contributed to the formation of the [[World Commission on Dams]] (WCD). The commission was a global, multi-stakeholder body initiated in 1997 by the [[World Bank]] and the [[World Conservation Union]] in response to growing opposition to dams. During its two-year lifetime, the WCD conducted what is said to be the most exhaustive study of dams completed to date, evaluating over 1,000 dams in 79 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=The World Commission on Dams Framework - A Brief Introduction|url=https://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/the-world-commission-on-dams-framework-a-brief-introduction-2654|website=International Rivers|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> In its published final report, the WCD concluded that although "dams have made an important and significant contribution to human development, and benefits derived from them have been considerable ... in too many cases an unacceptable and often unnecessary price has been paid to secure those benefits, especially in social and environmental terms, by people displaced, by communities downstream, by taxpayers, and by the [[natural environment]]."<ref>[https://www.futuredams.org/the-world-commission-on-dams-then-and-now/ WCD final report]{{dead link|date=November 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>


Since the organization's inception, worldwide construction of dams has decreased by half, and universal recognition of the consequences of hydropower continues to increase.<!--Is IR claiming credit for this? If so, give a convincing cite.-->
Since the organization's inception, worldwide construction of dams has decreased by half, and universal recognition of the consequences of hydropower continues to increase.<!--Is IR claiming credit for this? If so, give a convincing cite.-->

Latest revision as of 10:20, 31 October 2023

For rivers that form or cross international borders, see transboundary river.
International Rivers
Founded1985
TypeNon-Profit
FocusPeople-Water-Life
Location
Area served
Worldwide
MethodAdvocacy, Education, Research
Key people
Isabella Winkler and Josh Klemm, Interim Co-Executive Directors
Melina Selverston, Chair and Astrid Puentes Riaño, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors
Revenue
US$1,893,514 (2016)[1]: 16 
Websitewww.internationalrivers.org

International Rivers is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, environmental, and human rights organization. Founded in 1985 by social and environmental activists, International Rivers works with policy and financial analysts, scientists, journalists, development specialists, and volunteers to combat the adverse effects of dams and their legacies that it has identified in over 60 countries.

The organization has staff in South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, China, India, and the United States, who have expertise in a range of issues and who use research, education, and advocacy to achieve the organization's mission.[citation needed]

Overview[edit]

The organization's stated aims are to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them. It actively works against the development model associated with dams, which it believes to be unsustainable, and promotes alternative solutions for meeting water, energy, and flood-management needs. International Rivers is dedicated to giving dam-affected people the tools to participate in the development of local lands in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

By facilitating international grassroots organizing and informed participation, the organization seeks to change the terms of the debate over river development. The group works with its numerous partners to advocate for social reparations, ecological restoration, and the decommissioning of existing dams. International Rivers works to clarify what it describes as the traditionally top-down decision-making of large infrastructure projects. It also takes a stance against the industry's representation of hydropower as it relates to climate change: The organization maintains that reservoirs often produce greenhouse gas emissions that further impact the environment.[2]

Programs[edit]

International Rivers has undertaken a two-pronged approach to analyzing and promoting viable water and energy solutions. Combining its efforts to change global policy by campaigning on specific key projects, the organization simultaneously addresses the root causes and localized consequences of dam development. The organization's campaigns throughout Africa, China, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia focus on the intersection of dams and climate change, reforming the policies and practices of international financial institutions, and promoting water and energy solutions that recognize human rights and environmental sustainability.

Contributions[edit]

Among its accomplishments, International Rivers contributed to the formation of the World Commission on Dams (WCD). The commission was a global, multi-stakeholder body initiated in 1997 by the World Bank and the World Conservation Union in response to growing opposition to dams. During its two-year lifetime, the WCD conducted what is said to be the most exhaustive study of dams completed to date, evaluating over 1,000 dams in 79 countries.[3] In its published final report, the WCD concluded that although "dams have made an important and significant contribution to human development, and benefits derived from them have been considerable ... in too many cases an unacceptable and often unnecessary price has been paid to secure those benefits, especially in social and environmental terms, by people displaced, by communities downstream, by taxpayers, and by the natural environment."[4]

Since the organization's inception, worldwide construction of dams has decreased by half, and universal recognition of the consequences of hydropower continues to increase.

The organization publishes a journal, World Rivers Review, focused on addressing the state of various dam projects, ecosystems, and people.[5] It also publishes an annual report on a variety of dam-related subjects.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Annual Report 2016" (PDF). International Rivers. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. ^ Lima, Ivan B T; Ramos, Fernando M; Bambace, Luis A W; Rosa, Reinaldo R (February 2008). "Methane Emissions from Large Dams as Renewable Energy Resources: A Developing Nation Perspective". Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 13 (2): 193–206. doi:10.1007/s11027-007-9086-5. S2CID 27146726.
  3. ^ "The World Commission on Dams Framework - A Brief Introduction". International Rivers. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  4. ^ WCD final report[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "World Rivers Review – December 2014: Focus on the Mekong". International Rivers. 3 December 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2018.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Rivers&oldid=1182782058"