NEW BOOK: Water in Canada, a Resource in Crisis
The Myth of Abundance
Canadians were raised with the idea of clean, fresh water until the end of time — but it’s not so, says Edmonton Journal staff writer Hanneke Brooymans in a new book titled Water in Canada, a Resource in Crisis.
Hanneke Brooymans has been the environment reporter at the Edmonton Journal for eight years. She started her post-secondary education with a Bachelor of Science degree specializing in environmental biology from the University of Alberta.
“Water in Canada exposes the many facets of one of the most urgent problems of the 21st century…a must-read.”
—Dr. David W. Schindler, Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology, University of Alberta
“Canadians take our water for granted, which is a huge mistake. Water in Canada busts this ‘myth of abundance’ and is a clarion call to protect our threatened and dwindling freshwater sources before it is too late.”
—Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians
With a foreword by world-renowned water expert Dr. David Schindler, Water in Canada makes it crystal clear that the quantity and quality of our freshwater resources are diminishing at an alarming rate. Environmental journalist Hanneke Brooymans examines the effects of human activities on our water, and presents a thought-provoking analysis of our water issues:
- where Canada’s freshwater comes from
- water politics and economics
- the impact of climate change on our water resources
- whether our supply of freshwater now and for the future is healthy and sustainable in the face of increasing urban, agricultural and industrial use
- threats and concerns including pollution, bottled water pros and cons, boil-water advisories and flawed water treatment systems in our municipalities and First Nations communities
- what our three levels of government are doing to protect and conserve freshwater—and what they should be doing
- conflicts related to international water issues including diversion projects that might see our freshwater sold to thirsty states in the U.S.
These huge issues, which have enormous ramifications for future generations of Canadians, receive fair and intelligent discussion in this fascinating treatment—an essential book for anyone who uses or drinks water in Canada.
To Learn More:
To read an article by Hanneke Brooymans as published in the Edmonton Journal, click on The myth of overabundance. This excerpt from her book looks at how Canadians waste water and what we can do to conserve it.
Posted March 2011