UN World Water Day (March 22nd), aims to draw attention to global water issues. In response, the Program on Water Governance collaborated with a number of local and international organizations, to host an evening event in Vancouver. The focus of the panel event was Water: Challenges and Opportunities in Western Canada and abroad.
The opening guest speaker was Canadian author Andrew Nikiforuk (Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of a Continent). Nikiforuk discussed the water energy nexus focusing on three areas: the impact of the tar sands on water, the Enbridge (Gateway) pipeline project, and hydrofracturing (a water-intense process that is used to release shale gas). Nikiforuk was joined by two more panelists: Chief Bob Chamberlin, chair of the Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council, and Patrick Lucas, an environmental scientist and returned CUSO-VSO volunteer. The panel was moderated by Dr. Karen Bakker, director of the UBC Program on Water Governance (and author of Eau Canada: The Future of Canada’s Water).
Water: Challenges and Opportunities was held at UBC Robson Square. A 6 part video recording of Andrew Nikiforuk’s presentation at this event is available on You Tube:
World Water Day 2010 – part 1 of 6
World Water Day 2010 – part 2 of 6
World Water Day 2010 – part 3 of 6
World Water Day 2010 – part 4 of 6
World Water Day 2010 – part 5 of 6 (Q&A)
World Water Day 2010 – part 6 of 6 (Q&A)
The event was sponsored by Connecting Environmental Professionals, Tides Canada, Amnesty International, Program on Water Governance (UBC), Council of Canadians, Oxfam Canada, The Water Team, the Sauder School of Business (UBC) and Bullfrog Power.