Innovation Anthology #73: Executive Director, Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity
With $30 million from the provincial government, Alberta Ingenuity has launched the Alberta Water Research Institute.
Heading up the International Research Advisory Committee for the Institute is one of the most respected water scientists in the world, Dr. David Schindler.
While scientists and politicians have often been at odds over water issues, the reality of shrinking glaciers, increased drought and climate change have sobered the arguments from policy makers.
DR. DAVID SCHINDLER: Probably the reason they’re paying attention today is that they can see looking back 20 years that we were right more often than not. And I think also what’s happening to world water supplies are really beginning to get politicians’ attention. I think the average citizens, something they should think of every night when they’re watching the conflicts in Iraq and what’s happening in Iran on the news is that a lot of those countries were once huge aquatic and wetland complexes. Look what people have done to it. We certainly don’t want to go there.
Through the new Alberta Water Research Institute, Dr. Schindler and his colleagues expect good science to guide the province away from devastating water shortages.
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY, I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
Guest
Carol Bettac,
Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, carol.bettac@albertainnovates.ca
Sponsor
Alberta Ingenuity
Established in 2000, the Alberta Ingenuity Fund supports science and engineering research of the highest calibre, to create a prosperous future for the province of Alberta. It draws funding from a $1 billion endowment established in 2000 and managed by the Government of Alberta to build the capacity for innovation, especially in areas with long lasting social and economic impact.
Among its many programs, Alberta Ingenuity supports graduate students and university researchers, industrial research and commercialization partnerships, and has established several Centres and Institutes.
In January 2010, under the new Alberta Innovation Framework, Alberta Ingenuity was restructured and absorbed in the new agency Alberta Innovates Technology Solutions.
Program Date: 2007-10-09