News

Researchers at the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change and the Partners for Action research network at the University of Waterloo surveyed 2,300 homeowners who live in communities that the Government of Canada’s Flood Damage Reduction Program designated as flood-risk areas.

The study found that 94 percent of respondents are unaware of their risk and don’t know that recent government policy changes puts the onus on homeowners to insure their homes.

The story includes comments by Water Institute member Blair Feltmate, of the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development. 

A team of researchers has discovered that many Canadian lakes can provide new insights into ancient oceans, and their findings could advance research about greenhouse gas emissions, harmful algal blooms, and early life forms.

Twelve innovative projects will share a $10 million (USD) competition pool to tackle flooding in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The partnership between the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) and Z Zurich Foundation of Zurich Insurance, will see grants of up to $1 million (USD) awarded to teams offering innovative solutions to issues affecting flood-prone communities in the Horn of Africa and South and Southeast Asia.

The story includes comments by Water Institute member Chris Fletcher, of Geography and Environmental Management and the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change.

Global water issues are becoming increasingly complex and often require a collaborative approach across a breadth of disciplines. Facilitating collaboration and promoting innovation in interdisciplinary research is part of the Water Institute’s mission. One of the ways this is accomplished is through the Water Institute’s Seed Grant Program.

Global Water Futures (GWF): Solutions to Water Threats in an Era of Global Change

The GWF program is a collaborative initiative between multiple Canadian universities and partner organizations funded through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund. GWF aims to deliver risk management solutions for water resources and services – informed by leading edge water science and supported by innovative decision-making tools – in Canada and throughout the cold regions of the world.

Three Water Institute members – Philippe Van Cappellen (earth and environmental sciences), Nandita Basu (earth and environmental sciences and civil and environmental engineering) and Roy Brouwer (economics) – will receive more than $550,000 to address persistent, long-term pollution created by excess fertilizers in the lakes, rivers and wetlands in several parts of the world.

Water Institute member Juewen Liu will receive more than $100,000 over three years from the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for research initiatives that test pathogens and chemical contaminants in water.

Interdisciplinary approaches are key when investigating potential impacts from climate change on human, economic and environmental systems. Unexpected changes to the quantity and quality of water available to local communities and environments can have wide-ranging effects, including impacting public health, environmental resilience, and agricultural and food security. Four Water Institute researchers were recently awarded funding from the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Advanced Scholars Program to build institutional capacity in select Commonwealth countries to address linkage