The Global Water Security Challenge
16 April 2019
This webinar, co-organised by Christopher Scott (University of Arizona) and Chad Staddon (University West of England), built on Water International Special Issue (vol. 43, issue 8) on this same topic, which was also co-edited by both of them.
It brought together a panel of senior and junior panellists who highlighted different aspects of this key theme challenging currently our planet. They discussed both the longer history of the notion of water security, noting how the term has come into its own in the academic sphere, but at the same time has taken on certain aspects in the policy field, which focuses on zero-sum state policy rather than win-win solutions to address concerns from traditionally marginalized groups such as women, children or indigenous people. Panellists also explored questions around security at different scales and contexts, including at the household level in the South-West USA, mining communities in Mexico, transboundary aquifers, or wastewater in India.
During the webinar, a poll was conducted to our audience suggesting that virtual water is one of the most under discussed aspects of water security. A result that our panel found engaging and suggesting for new avenues of study.
This webinar also aimed to promote dialogue in the lead-up to the IWRA’s XVII World Water Congress, to be held in Daegu, Korea (11-15 May 2020) on the theme of “Foundations for Global Water Security and Resilience: Knowledge, Technology and Policy”.
Nearly 110 registrants participated of this webinar, while distinguished panellists included Christopher Scott (Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona); Chad Staddon (Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England); Adriana Zuniga-Teran (School of Landscape Architecture and Planning and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona); Tamee Albrecht (School of Geography and Development and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, University of Arizona); America Lutz-Ley (Center of Studies on Development – Centro de Estudios del Desarrollo, El Colegio de Sonora); and, Bhuwan Thapa (Department of Geography, Indiana University). The event was moderated by Scott McKenzie, PhD Candidate, University of British Columbia.
Please follow and contribute to subsequent discussions on our LinkedIn channel here: www.linkedin.com/company/international-water-resources-association
Presentations are available by clicking on the titles below:
- Transboundary Water Security in the Arid Americas
- Water, Climate Change, and Large-Scale Mining in Sonora, Mexico
- Equity in Green Infrastructure: A Case Study in Tucson, Arizona
- Wastewater – Energy Nexus in Urban Center of Kathmandu, Nepal
