The Penticton Western News reports on Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow’s speech to the annual BC Water and Waste Association’s conference this past weekend at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
“Suffering from both environmental and economic pressures Barlow called the state of water the most urgent ecological and human threat of our time, as well as the first face of climate change.”
“Touching on the ‘dirty dozen’ of water degradation Barlow listed various areas of concern, but said the world’s fate isn’t cast in stone — only the concept of unfettered expansion has to be tossed out.”
“Barlow also warned strongly against legislation that gives power to Independent Power Producers. ‘Beware of Run of River projects, which will turn public property into private gain,’ she said.”
Maude is also quoted in the article saying:
– “We have a comet coming at us, and it’s called the global water crisis.”
– “Water is a public trust and it belongs to the public.”
– “We need to map out our groundwater and ensure extraction doesn’t exceed growth…and put our rivers under strict restrictions.”
– “Canada is one of the biggest water wasters, next to the U.S…and when we signed NAFTA that (turned) water into a commodity.”
– “Our water systems are dying. The ideology of unlimited growth has the same DNA as cancer: It has to turn on its host to survive.”
The full article can be read at http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/pentictonwesternnews/news/43922582.html
The BC Water and Waste Association’s website announcement of Maude’s address can be read at http://www.bcwwa.org/annual_conference/2009/ee.php
