The way in which Climate change and Water issues are approached by people in different places has an impact on all of us.
B.C. seems to have a pretty good system already in place for water management. Four stages of restrictions on water use, depending on conditions. You don’t just wait for disaster and then scramble to deal with it.
Salt Spring Island, B.C. today is at Stage 3, most likely going to stage 4 (the highest level of restriction) in the near future. Two lakes are their source of water. The lakes are the lowest they have been, EVER. The water needs to be managed for today, but also for eventualities. If the drought is short-lived the lakes will re-fill. If drought continues, the water levels will continue to decline. The Island is not issuing development (new building) permits; they are not extending water lines. (Source, CBC Radio, On the Island, interview June 25.)
Our network started because of an ill-advised plan for water. We have been actively involved in fighting for protection and against commodification. Through the years we have followed developments in the U.S. over water. They, not unlike us, have been profligate users with no sense of limits or responsibility. There are those who plan to make money through export of water from Canada to the U.S., a source of nervousness.
CALIFORNIA
This interview of California Governor Jerry Brown is very helpful to understanding the difficulties and the thinking in California. It’s an hour long, the issue of commodification comes up: watch the video »
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