For Immediate Release
July 29, 2010
Contact:
Johanna Miller, Vermont Natural Resources Council
Phone: 802-223-2328 ext 112 • Cell: 802-371-9611
Email: jmiller@vnrc.org • Web site: www.vnrc.org
World Water Expert Visits Vermont Tonight
Maude Barlow to Speak on World, Green Mountain Water Woes
Montpelier — Clean, plentiful water supplies are essential to our lives and our livelihoods — in Vermont and around the world. Yet, globally, fresh water is threatened by pollution, depletion and privatization.
Vermont is not immune from those challenges, world water expert, author and former U.N. advisor on water, Maude Barlow, will tell Vermonters tonight in Burlington.
“Vermont’s water remains plagued by pollution, including turning a recent Lake Champlain triathlon into a duathlon because dangerous e-coli levels in Shelburne Bay had to abandon the swimming segment,” said VNRC’s Water Program Director Jon Groveman. “At the same time, some municipalities are looking to bottle and sell water. These remain precarious times for Vermont’s water.”
That’s why this Thursday, July 29, the Vermont Natural Resources Council, Community Sailing Center and Peace and Justice Center are partnering to host Ms. Barlow for a presentation and conversation on this pressing topic. The three organizations have each long worked on water issues but joined forces for the first time to bring Ms. Barlow to Vermont as pressure on our drinking water supplies intensifies and as the state’s lakes, rivers and streams continue to be dogged by pollution.
Ms. Barlow will arrive in Vermont one day after attending a U.N. General Assembly vote on a draft resolution declaring the human right to “safe and clean drinking water and sanitation.” In 2008, Ms. Barlow was named the first U.N. Special Advisor on Water for her lifelong work to promote water as a human right.
“Access to clean water is a human right,” said Kate Neubauer, executive director of the Community Sailing Center in Burlington. “We work hard to provide opportunities for everyone to learn about and recreate on Lake Champlain. Keeping it clean and creating future stewards of the lake is a big part of that.”
The WorldWatch Institute has stated that water scarcity is the most underappreciated global environmental challenge of our time. It’s for this reason many are taking action. “We must bring immediate attention and energy to protect our planet’s most precious resource — not only across the globe, but right here in Vermont too,” said Nancy Lynch, director of the Peace & Justice Center. “That’s why we are excited to partner with the VNRC and the Sailing Center to bring attention to this crucial and time sensitive issue.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about what’s happening — and not happening — this Thursday. Ms. Barlow will speak at 6:30 and offer first-hand insight, analysis and powerful stories about water struggles across the globe and suggest strategies on how Vermont can get in front of potential problems.
Prior to Ms. Barlow’s talk, all are welcome for a 5:30 reception, information tables and the opportunity to speak with Ms. Barlow herself. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
