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Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
7:15 - 8:30 am
Ethics of Water Conservation: Why we need change
with Hans Schreier, Expert in International Water Resources Management and Professor, Faculty of Land & Food Systems,WestWater Research Unit, UBC
Canada is one of the highest users of domestic water in the world. How long can this last?
Canadians seem to believe that we have unlimited water supplies. Most people don’t want to meter their water consumption and won’t pay an appropriate price for its use. At the same time, consumers gladly spend money on bottled water while their community drinking water remains of high quality and is mostly safe. How ethical is our use of water?
On a global scale, as populations increase, land-use intensifies, and climate change continues, we face serious challenges in managing domestic water supplies, storm water, and food security. Are most countries ethically managing their water?
Join water management expert Hans Schreier as he outlines why we urgently need a water conservation ethic to ensure future supplies and maintain essential environmental services. In his view, this requires a major shift in attitude. He’ll offer water conservation tips and answer these questions:
• Why do we use so much water?
• Why do we need to become water-efficient users?
• What are effective ways to conserve water?
• Why is the public so poorly informed about the difference between domestic drinking water and bottled water?
click here to RSVP or call: 604-685-6560
DATE: Wednesday, December 9th -- 7:15-8:30 am
LOCATION: BC Hydro Building
333 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver
2nd Floor Auditorium
Check-in at Security Desk (Main floor lobby)
COST: Members - $7.00 Non-Members - $10.00
(muffins, tea and coffee included)
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About Our Speaker:
Hans Schreier is a Professor in the Faculty of Land & Food Systems and the Institute for Resources and Environment at UBC's WestWater Research Unit. Some of his specialty fields include the land-use impact on water and climate change, and watershed analysis in mountains and land-water interaction processes. He recently spent four years as co-leader of the Watershed Strategy Program at Canada’s National Centre of Excellence on Clean Water.
Hans has been a member of many advisory boards and committees for agencies such as UNESCO and the Columbia Basin Trust. In 2001-2002, B.C.'s Minister of the Environment appointed him a member of the province's review panel on drinking water.
For almost three decades, Hans has taught training courses in water resources management in 17 countries. He has received numerous related awards, including the 2004 Science in Action Award from the United Nations International Year of Fresh Water for his outstanding work in watershed management applications in Canada and developing countries. In 2008, he received the King Albert International Mountain Award in Switzerland for his scientific contribution to improve water management in mountain communities. Highlights of his research have appeared in a variety of scientific and international books and journals.
Hans received a PhD in geomorphology and soils at the University of B.C. and a Master of Science in geomorphology and land resources management in the United Kingdom. He received a Bachelor of Science in physical geography at the University of Colorado and has a Diploma in remote sensing from the International Institute of Aerial Surveys and Earth Science in the Netherlands.
"Hans Schreier has spent a career making a difference in the lives of Canadians and people around the world. ...[His] contribution to water issues is too great to ever be measured." Dr. Mark Servos, Scientific Director, Canadian Water Network
click here to RSVP or call: 604-685-6560
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