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Bulk Water Exports and the Canadian Fresh Water Supply
The latest survey of the online community of the David Suzuki Foundation tells us you really care about Canadian freshwater as an environmental issue. How much?
57 per cent of the 4700 surveyed rated threats to our fresh water supply as a top priority in need of environmental protection in the next decade. The Marine and Freshwater Conservation Team keeps its ear to the ground on this and many other issues. So when the economic argument to export Canadian water in bulk was recently revived it prompted us to take action. The David Suzuki Foundation weighed in with an alternative perspective on the issue supported by scientific research. This minute-long video tells you more or read the full opinion piece recently published in the Montreal Gazette. Now, take up the challenge! Learn more! Get involved! Here’s a list of Canadian water experts to get you started and a link to projects that conserve and protect freshwater. Dr. David Schindler Dr. Karen Bakker Maude Barlow Find out more about Water Projects and Programs: University of British Columbia’s Program on Water Governance http://www.watergovernance.ca/Institute2/aboutus/bakker.htm Blue Planet Project The Blue Planet Project is a global project working with partners around the world to achieve the goal of water justice now. http://blueplanetproject.net/ Right to Water The Right to Water website has been launched by the Council of Canadians' Blue Planet Project to help concerned citizens learn more about the international struggle to secure the human right to water. http://www.righttowater.ca/ International Joint Commission Canada and The United States are home to many rivers and some of the largest lakes in the world that lie along, or flow across, the border between the two countries. The International Joint Commission assists governments in finding solutions to problems in these waters. http://www.ijc.org/ Environment Canada The federal government department houses this freshwater website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/WATER/e_main.html Think Outside the Bottle The Think Outside the Bottle encourages consumers to choose tap over bottled water and support the efforts of local elected officials to do the same at the city, state, and national level. The Pledge is the collective effort of major national organizations, cities, prominent people, communities, student groups, and concerned consumers across North America. It http://www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org/ .jpg) Facts about Canadian Water •Almost 9%, or 891, 163 square kilometres, of Canada's total area is covered by fresh water. •Annually, Canada's rivers discharge 7% of the world's renewable water supply – 105 000 cubic metres per second. •Almost 9%, or 891 163 square kilometres, of Canada's total area is covered by fresh water. •Approximately 60% of Canada's fresh water drains north, while 85% of the population lives within 300 kilometres of the southern border with the United States. •The Great Lakes provide drinking water to 8.5 million Canadians. •Only one per cent of the waters of the Great Lakes are renewed each year by snow melt and rain. •40 per cent of Canada's boundary with the United States is composed of water. •The Great Lakes support 25% of Canada's agricultural capacity. •Canada has about 25% of the world's wetlands – the largest wetland area in the world. •Water withdrawals for industry: World – 22% of total water use; High-income countries – 59% of total water use; Low-income countries – 8% of total water use Who Knew?
These are just a few of the 100 water facts found on Environment Canada’s freshwater website.
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