Water resources everywhere face growing pressure from urbanization, industrial activities and the sheer growth in the number of people on the face of the earth. Climate change is affecting how much water is available and it is determining water quality. Because it is a renewable resource, water is vulnerable to the potential effects of climate change and variability. We have already seen what happens to water resources when there is not enough rain or average temperatures increase over an extended period. The impact on river transportation was immediate.
Research is key.
These funds will add to our understanding of the basic science. It will support the thoughtful, inclusive process that's developing the National Implementation Strategy. It will help engage individual Canadians in the national effort - thinking globally and acting locally. And it will accelerate the development and deployment of more climate-friendly technologies. The time has come to update it and include the full range of issues which threaten our watersheds - one of which is the bulk removal of water.