Background

The Environmental Resilience Institute hosted a three-part webinar series discussing the results of the Water Futures Initiative so far. Each of the three WFI working groups are composed of interdisciplinary researchers focusing on major environmental challenges. 

• February 19 at 1 PM (Resilient Urban Water Systems),
• February 24 at 1 PM (Coastal Land Margins), and
• March 4 at 1 PM (Water Security, Justice and Politics).

Each webinar began with a 15-minute presentation of results of research undertaken over the last year followed by 10-minutes of reflections by the researchers on lessons learned and potential future directions. The remainder of the time was provided to attendees for questions and discussion.

Audience participation in the event helped define next steps for the work, including both immediate follow up and a longer term, more ambitious future agenda. 

Resilient Urban Water Systems

Workgroup Leads

This working group investigated the socio-environmental conditions and development potential and constraints of green and grey urban water resources that will achieve resilient, equitable solutions to urban water management. This workgroup considered questions like: How can we best use principles drawn from natural ecosystems – in tandem with those from engineering, design and institutional frameworks – to develop and operate resilient water systems?  How can we provide reliable, productive, and equitable water systems that minimize hazard and waste in the most densely populated habitats of the planet (21st century cities) and their contributing watersheds.

FEB 19TH 1-2PM

Coastal Land Margins

Workgroup Leads

This workgroup explored likely futures, and potential management strategies for US Coastal Waters, considering climate, land use and socioeconomic change impacts. Questions the workgroup considered included: What are the primary challenges and strategies to mitigate impacts of current and future social and environmental change to coastal waters, ecosystems and resources on the East Coast of North America?  Coastal waters are defined as the freshwaters on the coastal plain (including groundwater) and brackish and saline waters in coastal creeks, wetlands and estuaries.

FEB. 24TH 1-2PM

Water Security, Justice and Politics

Increasing water demand for municipal uses, agriculture, and other businesses raises concerns about meeting human needs with the earth’s limited freshwater resources. This workgroup addressed questions including: How is water scarcity simultaneously affecting the global economy and the basic human right of access to clean and sufficient water. What is the ‘safe operating space’ in water use for both the environment and society to ensure a prosperous and just future?

Workgroup Leads