Issues and Experts

Water insecurity an ongoing crisis: SFU Experts on World Water Day

March 18, 2021
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Water is an essential human right according to the United Nations. Yet roughly one in 10 people live without basic access to clean water, while threats of rising populations and industry, climate change and natural disasters continue. 

World Water Day (March 22) looks to raise awareness of the global water crisis and highlight the basic need for safe, clean water, especially in the most water-poor communities. The U.N’s world water development report on ‘Valuing Water’ will also be released. The following SFU experts are available to speak to World Water Day and issues affecting the water crisis. 

Available SFU Experts

Zafar Adeel, executive director, Pacific Water Research Centre, zadeel@sfu.ca

Topic: How water security exacerbates vulnerabilities to pandemics and other global threats; how we can prepare for future pandemics by ensuring everyone has access to safe water

Joanna Ashworth, director of professionals programs and partnerships, Faculty of Environment, joanna_ashworth@sfu.ca

Topic: Use of rain gardens as part of community infrastructure; empowering communities to address the impact of flooding on ecosystems; green infrastructure

Jesse Hahm, assistant professor, geography, whahm@sfu.ca

Topic: Impacts of droughts, ecohydrology, bedrock water storage, plant water uptake dynamics

Deborah Hartford, executive director of ACT (Adaptation to Climate Change Team), adapt@sfu.ca

Topic: Insight into ways climate change can impact biodiversity; climate change and nature-based solutions

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, SFU  Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University 
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory 
778.782.3210 

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 165,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.