Expert Speaks on Water Security in an Era of Climate Change

March 19th, 2008

VNRC is proud to host internationally renowned water expert Maude Barlow in a series of events on April 2 in Montpelier.

Ms. Barlow is one of the foremost experts on global efforts to privatize water resources, the growing scarcity of water supplies and what communities are doing — and can do — about it.

The expertise and context Ms. Barlow offers on this issue is timely in Vermont. That’s because water resources across the nation and the world are becoming increasingly scarce and sought after… and Vermont remains in the precarious position of being one of the last states in the nation to protect our groundwater — 2/3rds of Vermonters’ drinking water. Thankfully, a bill now under consideration in the Legislature — S.304 — aims to fill this troubling gap in Vermont’s water laws. As well, communities like East Montpelier, faced with a proposed water bottling operation, are taking action.  (Check out VNRC's mini documentary of the East Montpelier and groundwater issue here.)

DETAILS OF THE EVENTS WITH MAUDE BARLOW ON APRIL 2:

• 10:30 a.m. - Testimony to a joint committee in Room 11 at the Vermont State House
• 12:30 p.m. – Book signing at Bear Pond Books in downtown Montpelier (77 Main St.)
• 6:00 p.m. – Discussion on “The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water.” The event takes place at Bethany Church in Montpelier (115 Main St.) and is free and open to the public. A short Q&A will follow the presentation.

Ms. Barlow co-authored one of the first books that tackled water security and privatization issues in a powerful book titled Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop Corporate Theft of the World’s Water. She is currently on tour in the United States promoting her new book, Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water.

Please join VNRC at any of these events. Be sure not to miss the evening event as it promises to be a compelling and eye-opening discussion about the threats water privatization poses in an increasingly thirsty world. Hear how — without serious state action — these challenges will leave Vermont’s fresh water resources vulnerable to depletion and degradation. And find out what you can do to ensure Vermont takes the steps necessary to safeguard this life-sustaining resource.

For more information and directions, contact Johanna Miller at 802-223-2328 or jmiller@vnrc.org.