The Politics of Thirst – how the most critical resource of the future will influence local and global politics
COURSE FULL. TO GO ONTO THE WAITING LIST, PLEASE E-MAIL US AT [email protected], INDICATING THE COURSE
Is water an “economic good” or a human right? The control of water, globally and locally is becoming a significant political issue as water becomes increasingly scarce due to population growth and climate change.
Nations will be desperate to have adequate water for agriculture, industry and individual consumption. What happens when one nation controls the headwaters of rivers that another nation depends on, as China does in East Asia? Will countries like Brazil, Canada and Russia, with lots of water, share it and under what circumstances? Is there a risk of water wars?
At a local level who will control water? Corporations see water as a big future source of profit. Will the privatization of water, already an issue in several countries, be allowed to continue, with people having to pay market rates for their water? Or will it remain under government control, funded by taxes. This is shaping up as a major political battle.
We will look at the implications of water shortage, and how this can be dealt with to prevent water competition from becoming a source of conflict. We will also explore the battle between people and corporations for control of water. Who wins this battle will determine the basic wellbeing of millions, perhaps billions of people.
Moderator: John Simke
Date and Time: November 17 to December 8 (4 weeks), 2-4 PM
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 2296
Cost: $24
Maximum Class Size: 25
Booking: See Terms and Conditions. To book a course, you can register on-line below, or you can send us a cheque, payable to John and Pat Simke at 102 Bloor Street West - PH9, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1M8.
Nations will be desperate to have adequate water for agriculture, industry and individual consumption. What happens when one nation controls the headwaters of rivers that another nation depends on, as China does in East Asia? Will countries like Brazil, Canada and Russia, with lots of water, share it and under what circumstances? Is there a risk of water wars?
At a local level who will control water? Corporations see water as a big future source of profit. Will the privatization of water, already an issue in several countries, be allowed to continue, with people having to pay market rates for their water? Or will it remain under government control, funded by taxes. This is shaping up as a major political battle.
We will look at the implications of water shortage, and how this can be dealt with to prevent water competition from becoming a source of conflict. We will also explore the battle between people and corporations for control of water. Who wins this battle will determine the basic wellbeing of millions, perhaps billions of people.
Moderator: John Simke
Date and Time: November 17 to December 8 (4 weeks), 2-4 PM
Location: OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 2296
Cost: $24
Maximum Class Size: 25
Booking: See Terms and Conditions. To book a course, you can register on-line below, or you can send us a cheque, payable to John and Pat Simke at 102 Bloor Street West - PH9, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1M8.