POLIS Project and Water Sustainability Committee align efforts to advance the “soft path for water”
“The POLIS Project on Ecological Governance is an ecology-based public policy think tank situated at the University of Victoria. The mission of POLIS is to help reorient Canadian water management from supply to demand-side approaches,” explained Oliver Brandes. “A ‘soft path’ for water takes the management approach beyond traditional concerns to consider how we might redesign the underlying human systems that determine demand and our approach to supply.”
Nature’s Revenue Streams Links Rainwater Infrastructure to Restoration of Stream and Watershed Function
“Nature’s Revenue Streams is a 3-year public-private project on Vancouver Island that will show how urban development can be used as an opportunity to improve watershed and stream health,” stated Patrick Lucey. “NRS has considerable synergy and commonality with elements of the Water Sustainability Action Plan, both in terms of approach and green infrastructure deliverables. For this reason, NRS has executed Statements of Collaboration with the Water Sustainability Committee, the Green Infrastructure Partnership, and the Water Balance Model) Partnership.”
As Climate Change Challenges Local Water Resources, New Guide Advocates the ‘Soft Path’ to Water Security
“New approaches for water security are needed right now,” says Dr. David Brooks. “You could learn to live without oil, and we should, but you will not survive without fresh water. Climate chaos will force us to re-think how we manage our voracious demand for energy and water. We offer the Soft Path as a way to do that—a way that respects the environment and leads to social prosperity.”
POLIS Project on Ecological Governance has released At a Watershed: Ecological Governance and Sustainable Water Management in Canada
“This report builds on the strength of the action plans laid out in previous reports. At a Watershed goes beyond the urban environment, addressing specific issues of governance. This final instalment creates the holistic solution for long-term water sustainability in Canada,” states Oliver Brandes.
City of Quesnel hosted pilot workshop on “Big Ideas for Small Communities” in October 2004
“The Quesnel workshop provided a timely opportunity to test the relevance of the ‘water balance messaging’ in a Smalltown BC context. The discussion confirmed that small communities recognize the need for changes in land development practices,” reported Kim Stephens.
In 2004, CMHC partnered with local governments in British Columbia to deliver pilot workshops on “Sustainable Planning and Development for Small Communities”
“The workshop is designed specifically for municipal decision makers — people responsible for community planning and development. The workshop lays a solid conceptual foundation,” states Lance Jacubec.
AT THE PENTICTON DROUGHT FORUM: Drought, Forest Fires and Floods Created a “Teachable Moment” for Climate Change Action (July 2004)
“The year 2003 was a memorable one in British Columbia history. Anything and everything that could happen did in fact happen: drought, forest fires and floods. They provided the backdrop and the context for the Province convening an event in July 2004 that was branded as the Penticton Drought Forum. The Province’s response to the 2003 drought encompassed a Drought Handbook and a $2M drought planning grant planning program. The rollout of both commenced at the Penticton Forum.,” stated Kim Stephens.
AT THE PENTICTON DROUGHT FORUM: “The vision for the waterbucket.ca website is to provide a resource rich ‘destination location’ for water sustainability in British Columbia,” stated Mike Tanner, Waterbucket Chair (July 2004)
“Integrated water management involves consideration of land, water, air and living organisms – including humans – as well as the interactions among them. Through partnerships, the Water Sustainability Action Plan is promoting the watershed as a fundamental planning unit. The waterbucket.ca will connect all six Action Plan Elements to provide the complete story on integrated water management – why, what, where and how – and is the key to the communication strategy for the Action Plan,” stated Mike Tanner.
Province and BCWWA Committee jointly develop “Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia”
“The drought, forest fires and floods that British Columbia experienced in 2003 have created a teachable moment for change in the way we view water in this province. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the purpose of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia is to promote and facilitate sustainable approaches to water use and water resource management,” states Ray Fung.
Focus Group Workshop on “The State of Water Conservation in BC”
“The relationship between the Water Sustainability Action Plan and the Water Save Tool Kit is cascading—the Action Plan will provide a strategic framework, while the Tool Kit will offer a range of on-the-ground measures and approaches that will enable individuals and communities to achieve water conservation and water-use efficiency objectives,” explained Lynn Kriwoken.