Citizens and Scientists
Taking Action on
Global Warming and
Other Threats
A Film & Lectures Series presented by Continuing Studies in Science and Environment at
Simon Fraser University
For more information visit: www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
Reservations recommended as seating is limited.
To reserve a seat visit, www.sfu.ca/reserve
Coming May 12, 2011
Green and Virtual Water
Management: An Option for Global Food Security
Hans Schreier, Faculty of
Land and Food Systems,
University of British
Columbia
May 5th, 7-8:30 pm - Room 1800, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W Hastings, Vancouver
Andrew Weaver, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Ocean Science, University of Victoria
Abstract:
This talk will focus on Andrew Weaver’s new book “Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming”. In clear and accessible language, Generation Us explains the phenomenon of global warming, outlines the threat it presents to future generations and offers a path toward solutions to the problem.
The reality of global warming has long been accepted within the scientific community, yet it remains a hotly debated topic at the political and social level. Why is this? Is it the fact that the ultimate effects of global warming will not be felt in our lifetimes? Do we really feel no moral responsibility for future generations? Dr. Weaver, one of the world’s leading experts in the field, contends that, just as humans have been responsible for creating the problem of global warming, we must also be the solution.
Books will be available for purchase and/or signing.
Bio:
Dr. Andrew J. Weaver received his B.Sc (Mathematics and Physics) from the
University of Victoria in 1983, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mathematics from
Cambridge University in 1984, and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the
University of British Columbia in 1987. He is a Professor and Canada Research Chair in climate modelling and analysis in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences,
University of Victoria. He has authored or coauthored over 190 peer-reviewed papers in climate, meteorology, oceanography, earth science, policy, education and anthropology journals. He was a Lead Author in the United Nations
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2nd, 3rd and 4th scientific assessments and is also a Lead
Author in the ongoing 5th scientific assessment. He was the Chief Editor of the Journal of Climate from
2005-2009. Dr. Weaver is the past recipient of the NSERC E. W. R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship (1997),
Killam Research Fellowship (2002) and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2008). He received the CIAR Young
Explorers award as one of the top 20 scientists in Canada under the age of 40 (2003) and is an elected
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2001), the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society
(2007) and the American Meteorological Society (2008). He was appointed to the to the Order of British
Columbia in 2008. His book Keeping our Cool: Canada in a Warming World was published by Viking Canada in September 2008. His second book Generation Us: The Challenge of Global Warming will be published by
Orca Books in April 2011.

Citizens and Scientists
Taking Action on
Global Warming and
Other Threats
A Film & Lectures Series presented by Continuing Studies in Science and Environment at
Simon Fraser University
Hosted by the Faculties of
Environment and Science
For more information visit: www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science
Reservations are recommended as seating is limited.
To reserve a seat visit, www.sfu.ca/reserve
May 12th, 7-8:30 pm - Room 7000, SFU Harbour Centre -515 W Hastings, Vancouver
Hans Schreier, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia
Abstract:
According to the UN projections we need to increase food production by more than 50% over the next 40 years. This is a formidable challenge because the green revolution is beyond its peak, urban water demands are increasing, the agricultural land base is shrinking, soil degradation and water pollution are increasing, and the global population is expected to reach 9 Billion people by 2050. Irrigated agriculture is the most productive way of producing food but requires large quantities of water. Since agriculture is already using
70% of all available freshwater, it is unlikely that more water will be available for food production. What are the options and how do we address the global water issues for food? One of the most neglected topics in water management is how to shift attention from the blue-water cycle to the green- water cycle. The blue water cycle is the amount of rainfall than ends up in rivers, lakes and groundwater. This is the main source of water we manage. The green water cycle is the rainfall that is absorbed by plants and enters the soil where it gets picked up again by plants for biomass production and evapotranspiration. The amount of water flowing through the green water cycle is more than double the amount flowing through the blue water cycle and we need to become more efficient in how we manage green water. Every crop has different water requirements and prevailing climatic conditions determine water demand. Matching the most water efficient crops to the most appropriate climate can save massive amounts of water. As countries become increasingly water short they will rely on importing water intensive food. This is referred to as virtual water because the amount of water used to produce a crop for export is then no longer available locally for other uses. The presentation will provide information on virtual water trade and show how green water management can make a significant contribution to global food security.
Bio:
Hans Schreier is a professor in the Faculty of Land & Food Systems at the University of British Columbia.
His research focuses on watershed management, land-water interactions, soil and water pollution and GIS.
He has worked extensively in watershed studies in the Himalayan and Andean regions, as well as in British
Columbia. In 1996 he was recognized by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) for his contribution to improve water resources management in the developing world. In 1999 he received the
Manaaki Whenua Fellowship Award by Landcare Research in New Zealand. He completed the Himalayan-
Andean Watershed Project, which resulted in the production of 9 multi-media CD-ROMs that highlighted and compared watershed projects in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Bhutan, Nepal, and China. In 2000 he developed a WEB-based Certificate Program in Watershed Management that consists of 5 courses for graduate students and professionals from around the world by distance. So far over 1000 individuals from 24 different countries have participated in the program. From 2003-2007 he was Co-Leader of the Watershed Program of the Canadian Water Network National Centre of Excellence and he is a member of the Water Advisory
Panel for the Columbia Basin Trust.
In 2004 he received the “Science in Action” Award from The United Nations International Year of Fresh
Water, Science & Education Program, for outstanding work in making watershed management knowledge available in Canada and in Developing Countries. In 2008 he received the King Albert International
Mountain Award for scientific accomplishment of lasing values to the world’s mountains. King Albert I