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The Thirsty Triangle: The Water Footprint of Energy Trade Between China, Canada, and the United States

The Canada Institute and the China Environment Forum are honored to host a distinguished panel for a discussion on the energy-water nexus that exists within the China-North America relationship. Our panelists will examine the ways that North American energy exports impact water and energy use in China, as well as the ways that these exports are changing American and Canadian use of water domestically.

Date & Time

Friday
May. 3, 2013
9:00am – 11:00am ET

Location

5th Floor, Woodrow Wilson Center
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Overview

Every country depends on a sustainable supply of water and energy and these two resources are inextricably linked.  The production of all energy sources uses water but coal, oil sands, biofuels, and shale gas have particularly large water footprints. Absent tight regulations these sources of energy can also create serious water pollution.  Conversely, water treatment and distribution require considerable energy—for example the state of California uses nearly 20% of its energy to clean and transfer water. China, Canada, and the United States face significant obstacles in their efforts to provide clean, affordable energy. China is heavily dependent on coal, which according to research by the Wilson Center and Circle of Blue, accounts for 20 percent of the country’s water use, exacerbating pressure on the country’s already vulnerable water resources. In the United States thermal power plants use 40% of freshwater resources for once-through cooling, making them vulnerable in times of drought. Oil sands development in Canada demands a water intensive extraction and refining process, and makes up a large and growing portion of US oil imports from Canada.

At this May 3 Canada Institute/China Environment Forum meeting speakers will cast a broad net examining the water footprint of energy development within Canada, the United States, and China and how energy trade among these three countries is being shaped by water constraints. 

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Hosted By

Canada Institute

The mission of the Wilson Center's Canada Institute is to raise the level of knowledge of Canada in the United States, particularly within the Washington, DC policy community.  Research projects, initiatives, podcasts, and publications cover contemporary Canada, US-Canadian relations, North American political economy, and Canada's global role as it intersects with US national interests.  Read more

China Environment Forum

Since 1997, the China Environment Forum's mission has been to forge U.S.-China cooperation on energy, environment, and sustainable development challenges. We play a unique nonpartisan role in creating multi-stakeholder dialogues around these issues.  Read more

Global Risk and Resilience Program

The Global Risk and Resilience Program (GRRP) seeks to support the development of inclusive, resilient networks in local communities facing global change. By providing a platform for sharing lessons, mapping knowledge, and linking people and ideas, GRRP and its affiliated programs empower policymakers, practitioners, and community members to participate in the global dialogue on sustainability and resilience. Empowered communities are better able to develop flexible, diverse, and equitable networks of resilience that can improve their health, preserve their natural resources, and build peace between people in a changing world.  Read more

Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.