At the 2012 Alberta Institute of Agrologists conference, Kim Sturgess from Alberta WaterSMART gave a presentation on water security, globally and locally.
Food production as the largest consumptive use is highlighted. Increasing protein consumption as developing countries improve living standards puts specifc water basins under stress. Except for western Canada, major food producing centres in the world are going to see decreases in food production. Water management is the issue; adaption is the key. For Alberta's water users, agriculture, municipal use and the oil and gas industry, KIm believes the oil/gas industry is the most adaptive. In spite of all the plans, local people make local trade-offs between development and protection. And as an example of local decision making done well, the Bow River Project shows that cooperation among water rights holders can result in base flow protection.
