Further, if we seriously believe that global warming is a problem, burning more fossil fuels doesn't seem to be the answer. Some on the list are not even dams. The removal of the structures for safety reasons is simply good public policy and has very little to do with the debate on dam removal. To complicate matters, the less than one percent of available fresh water does not fall on the planet in rain or snow when or where it's needed. Often, precipitation occurs in too short a period of time, causing floods and natural disasters.
Dams represent the only solution to control our limited water supply.
They serve our needs for flood control, water supply, irrigation, navigation, power production, and environmental purposes. It's important to note that although some small dams are being removed for various reasons, about 1,700 dams are under construction worldwide, with 36 under construction in the United States. Of course, anything built by people to serve the needs of society inevitably impacts the environment, including renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower. Our responsibility is to serve and meet societal needs with the least impact on the environment. Water is the most important element on this plant, and dams make it available when and where we need it.