Canada can help countries facing water scarcity in the coming decades by sharing its knowledge and expertise, says Aly Shady of the Canadian International Development Agency.
“Countries look to Canada to supply this so they can use their own resources better,” the senior water policy specialist told an Oct. 7 climate conference in Saskatoon hosted by the Partners for the Saskatchewan River Basin.
Water and its management are directly linked to food production for a world population that is expected to double to 12 billion within 50 years.
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He noted it takes 44,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of beef and 100 L of water to create one L of beer.
Shady said it is neither practical nor feasible to export Canadian water to the 35 countries in Asia, Africa and western South America that are expected to face water shortages by 2025. Six countries now deal with shortages.
One-quarter of the world does not have access to clean water and up to 10 million people die every year from water-borne diseases.
Shady said water management is fragmented, handled by dozens of groups operating at regional, national and international levels that are often in conflict with one another.
“We need to harmonize the relationships and work this out,” he said.
Citing the decline in public funding in Canada in areas of water management, he said the private sector could play a role in developing new technologies and efficiencies.
Shady said that switch to private enterprises would require regulations to maintain public confidence in the long-term security of the water resource and ensure against excessive profits, price gouging or inequities in water distribution.
While Canada’s water supply is generally in good shape, he cited areas of concern in an era of global warming in southern areas like the Palliser triangle. These areas, which now see two dry years out of five, can expect an increased number of dry years.
Shady encouraged those regions to adapt, change and explore options in irrigation and new dams. Less than 17 percent of the world’s agricultural lands are irrigated.
“We need to manage the change and not let it manage us,” said Shady, who praised the work in stewardship and sustainability of the river basin by the partnership hosting the conference.
All concerned parties need to be involved in the decision making, he said, noting, “water is everybody’s business.”
