The Dadu River empties into the Taiwan Strait at Longjing
Township, Taichung, central Taiwan. People out for a stroll
saunter near the estuary and enjoy a serene picture of the
setting sun and the white, foaming waves billowing in the rising
wind. However, close nearby is a jarring note to the tranquil
natural scene—a massive power plant that runs day and night,
never stopping or slowing, its smokestacks constantly blowing
smoke. The power plant belongs to the Taiwan Power Company. It
is located on a 281-hectare (695-acre) parcel of land near the
estuary. Ten coal-fired generators pump out 5.5 million
kilowatts of electricity an hour, supplying 15 percent of
Taiwan’s energy needs. At the same time, the plant produces a
huge amount of carbon dioxide waste, none of which is needed by
anyone. Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that has
been linked to a rise in average temperatures across the globe.
The electricity produced here has monetary value, but the
towering smokestacks and mountain-high piles o