Metro Vancouver, B.C. – Right now, around 800 million people have no access to clean water, and it’s a fact that's disrupting economies, environments and lives around the globe.
“That for me was a wake-up call,” explained Dr. Ross Pink, whose latest book Water Rights in Southeast Asia and India was published and released by Palgrave Macmillan last week.
“When you do the research and you look at the climate change data, you see that this is a global crisis that is unfolding now.”
Dr. Pink has written and lectured on water rights for 14 years, and has brought such issues to classes and forums at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) for the past eight. His research and advocacy through his NGO Global Water Rights has also sounded the alarm bell on what he says is truly a major, global catastrophe. With his new book, along with some upcoming talks, he hopes to share his findings with a wider audience.
“What has surprised me most is how immediate the crisis is. It’s not something that will happen five or 10 years from now. The crisis of water security is happening now,” he said.
The book covers water issues facing nine countries – Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam – although Dr. Pink says that water insecurity and climate change affect virtually every country, whether through imports, exports, flooding or drought.
By 2050, it’s expected that over two billion people will live without a clean water source, due to pollution, surging populations and climate change.
Despite the dire consequences of inaction, Dr. Pink’s book – available through Palgrave Macmillan, on Amazon and via other book sites – ends on a positive note.
“We also talk about the exciting future. There are some amazing initiatives and innovations that are grappling with the very real issue of water insecurity, from rain water harvesting to desalinization. Hopefully we see more of that.”
More information about Dr. Pink and his work around water rights and security is available at globalwaterrights.com.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has served the Metro Vancouver region since 1981, and has opened doors to success for more than 200,000 learners. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs in business, liberal arts, design, health, science and horticulture, trades and technology, and academic and career advancement. Over 19,000 students annually have a choice from over 120 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, citations and apprenticeships. Learn more at kpu.ca.
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