‘ON THE FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR HUMANITY'​ MARTIN REES ASTRONOMER ROYAL [abc.net.au]

“Humans are now so numerous and have such a collective 'footprint’ that they have the ability to transform, or even ravage, the entire biosphere. The world’s growing and more demanding population puts the natural environment under strain; peoples’ actions could trigger dangerous climate change and mass extinctions if 'tipping points’ are crossed - outcomes that would bequeath a depleted and impoverished world to future generations. But to reduce these risks, we don’t need to put the brakes on technology; on the contrary, we need to enhance our understanding of nature and deploy appropriate technology more urgently. These are the themes of chapter 1 of this book.”
'On The Future Prospects for Humanity’ Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal UK Princeton University Press 2018

In terms of long-term planning for sustainable energy production by world governments, massive hydro dams are not the best available solution due to:

1. The ecological destruction they cause to natural landscapes.

Part 3 Power Failure in Northern Manitoba Justin Brake APTN

2. Their destructive impact on river health and rights.

Whanganui freshwater alliance ca
'In March 2017, the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2016 was passed in the New Zealand legislature, officially granting legal personhood to the Whanaganui River in New Zealand. Shortly after, the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers in India were also granted legal personhood.' 

3. Hydro Dam locations are such that they proceed to disrespect indigenous rights to ‘free, prior and informed consent [United Nations An Indigenous Peoples’ right and a good practice for local communities] who become the victims of ‘cultural genocide’ and human rights abuse by unfair imprisonment and obsene criminal charges for trying to protect their natural resources for future generations.

‘It’s cultural genocide’: Labrador Land Protectors in court on anniversary of Muskrat Falls occupation APTN National News October 23 2018 by Justin Brake

Photo shows cells at Her Majesty’s Prison St. John’s Archival photo undated Telegram files

‘Human Rights Not Hydro Dams’ Labrador Land Protectors campaigning against unfair incarceration of colleagues HMPenitentiary St. John’s, NL, CA [Angus Andersen]

Beatrice Hunter, Labrador Land Protectors Interview from Her Majesty’s Penitentiary St. John’s Newfoundland 2 June, 2017 [Video] Inuk grandmother and Labrador Land Protector Beatrice Hunter reads a prepared statement during a phone interview with The Independent from Her Majesty’s Penitentiary on June 2, 2017.

4.  The build-up of rotting vegetation causing the release of methane, mercury and methylmercury that is especially dangerous to the health of local, often indigenous populations.

Methylmercury levels expected to rise by as much as 1500 per cent in Indigenous communities living downstream from Muskrat Falls dam project Matthew Behrens 22.11.17

5. The deforestation they cause, removes, instead of increasing carbon sinks on our planet: for example the devastation in the Amazon
A SIMPLE MESSAGE: IF WE CARE FOR THE LAND IT WILL CARE FOR US. IF WE NURTURE DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS land can more effectively regulate local, regional and global climate helping to AVOID DANGEROUS LEVELS GLOBAL WARMING.
[IPCC’s Climate Change and Land report: how we can shape a healthier planet]

Munduruku Chief Juarez and his Warrior Chief survey devastation caused by illegal diamond mining [Amazon Watch]

6. The greater risk of hydro dams bursting by more extreme weather-climate change events such as prolonged torrential rainfall and landslides, especially as in the case of Muskrat Falls, when part of the dam wall is built on naturally unstable, quick clay of the North Spur which unbelievably has not even been the subject of a proper Independent Review! [THE NORTH SPUR: WARNINGS IGNORED Guest Post by David Vardy] 12 August 2019

Problems at the Oroville dam in California in 2017 saw 10,000 people evacuated [Getty]

7. The availability of other better ‘least cost options’ such as in-river turbines, wind turbines, solar panels, eco-wave and tidal power technology and the possibility of nuclear fusion in the not too distant future. 

‘To enhance our understanding of nature and deploy appropriate technology more urgently’ to better manage the world’s climate emergency and mass extinctions as we continue to head for ‘tipping points’ beyond which ‘hothouse earth’ becomes reality, it is necessary for world governments, for example Justin Trudeau’s Government of Canada, to act upon what their electorates are saying.

Trajectories of the Earth System in the Anthropocene

But…sadly, Newfoundland, Labrador and Canadian people have had to resort to NON-VIOLENT CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE, HUNGER STRIKES [Video] and FASTING in order to try and achieve their goals.

Marjorie Flowers, #LabradorLandProtectors arrested 16 Oct 2016

Northeast MegaDam Resistance Coalition supports Nonviolent Land Protectors against Muskrat Falls Megaproject

Jerry Kohlmeister, Delilah Saunders, Billy Gauthier On Hunger Strike

https://www.reddit.com/r/humanrights/comments/cpcnm2/please_join_the_muskrat_falls_emergency/
Please Join the Muskrat Falls Emergency Solidarity Chain Fast, August 7 to October 21, 2019 (Share widely)

Why we are fasting - Ontario-Muskrat Solidarity Coalition

To make matters even worse in a negative sense, the Canadian Government has activated the Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Muskrat Falls project which can only report its findings to the very same Justin Trudeau, Canada and Dwight Ball, Newfoundland and Labrador Governments who have been clearly responsible for sanctioning the project in the first place.

Judge Richard LeBlanc, Commissioner, The Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Muskrat Falls project [Uncle Gnarley blog]

‘The Moral of Muskrat Falls A dodgy dam in Canada’s east - Canada’s slowest growing province has a history of ill-conceived projects’ The Economist 19.8.17

The opportunity for a Canadian Government ‘political whitewash’ of among other things, the Nalcor Crown Corporation 'runaway train’ is there for all to see!
“Deception on a massive scale is a theme that has permeated the Inquiry like a noxious odour.” LeBLANC’S ADVICE TO BALL AND SIX OTHER TAKEAWAYS Uncle Gnarley blog 8 July 2019

But…surprise, surprise, “Deception on a massive scale…” is most likely nothing new in economic, social and political history the world over!

In Canada’s case, the History of Port Hope Simpson in Labrador from 1934-48 included a Public Inquiry. 

Substitute “The Labrador Development Company Ltd.” for “Nalcor Crown Corporation.” 

Substitute “Public Enquiry Into the Financial Affairs of The Labrador Development Company Ltd.” for “Commission of Inquiry Respecting The Muskrat Falls project.”  

Now track back in time to discover how deception, political intrigue and criminality has a sordid and shameful history in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Tombstone, Port Hope Simpson, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Volume 5 Port Hope Simpson Mysteries

Looking on the bright side…To the credit of the local folk of Port Hope Simpson:

“The lessons of the past are now clear for all to see, as deeper roots towards a more sustainable future with proper, responsible government and more economic diversification around logging, fishing, travel and tourism are taking hold in Port Hope Simpson Town for its people and regional Labrador. Today, the R.C.M.P. case file located in the Department of Justice, St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada about the unexplained deaths on 3 February 1940 of Arthur Eric Williams, a Welshman and Erica D’Anitoff Williams his infant daughter in Port Hope Simpson must remain open until such time the Department has ensured in their own words, “the impartial administration of justice and the protection of the public interest through the dual offices of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.”
http://www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/

Decide for yourself if a “cover-up” is still going-on today.”

Looking optimistically towards the future, it is good to recommend Jim Learning standing as an Independent MHA for Lake Melville:

@Jim_Learning “…I’m running as an independent candidate for Lake Melville in this upcoming provincial election. I’m excited to hear from you!” #nlpoli #myfirsttweet Apr 25 2019