Campaign to Sustain Water & Energy

The Nexus between water resources and energy resources drives increasing greenhouse gas emissions across the world. These two resources cannot be "conserved" or Developed" without impacting each other. In the United States, water-related energy (the energy used to heat, treat and pump water supplies) represents more tan 13% of our electrical production, while at the same time our nation's electrical production represents approximately 53% of total freshwater withdrawals. The upward spiral of water and energy use accelerates in a warming world and the sustainability of both are impacted by the resource decisions made by every community in every watershed.

Until a majority of Americans fully understand the impacts of climate change to their community, the politics of climate will not change. We believe that water is the resource - above all others - that can make this connection for most people. In the absence of federal action, it is even more important for citizens to understand - watershed by watershed - what the impacts of climate change are and how they can respond.

To tackle these issues head on, River Network has launched the Campaign to Sustain Water & Energy. The campaign is a multi-year effort to build capacity for nation-wide grassroots action against the water-related impacts of climate change. Whether responding to flooding, frequent drought, or declining water quality or supply, local groups are on the front lines. Most are working without the needed resources, staff scientists or engineering expertise. This campaign helps fill these gaps, promoting water conservation and collaboration as key strategies towards a sustainable future.

As a part of this campaign, it is River Network's role to train local leaders and help the public understand the critical nexus between water and energy. With more resources, we can help kick-start local programs in renewable energy, water conservation, efficiency and water re-use.

Become a part of the Campaign to Sustain by taking this brief survey and let us know how climate change and energy development is affecting your local watershed; what you are doing to work on those issues; How River Network and the Campaign members can assist you in your efforts; and, how your work can help build on the Campaign movement.

Campaign Priorities

Building Capacity for Change
Most of the barriers to water conservation are best addressed at the local level where leaders need money, staff time and materials. In the next three years, River network aims to provide funding and technical assistance to twenty local groups. We also want to be able to facilitate their efforts to work together, train together and build grassroots capacity for coordinated nation-wide climate action.

Communications/Messenging
Spokespeople for local water protection organizations still shy away form talking about climate change. But protection water resources and reducing energy consumption are not as controversial. We will build towards a "watershed teach-in on climate change" in 2012.

Collaborating for Nation-wide Impact
We will dedicate campaign resources towards building strong alliances with water suppliers, energy utilities and businesses interested in water conservation. These efforts will cneter on three goals:

1. Reducing the "water-footprint" of energy production that is now nearly 1/2 of all fresh water withdrawals in our country.

2. Reducing the carbon-footprint of water use, especially as associated with the energy "embedded: in public water supplies and end uses, which consume approximately 1/5 of our nation's electric supply.

3. Building more climate-resilient green infrastructure, healthy communities and economic conditions.

Program Partners
We are working with national groups such as the Alliance for Water Efficiency, American Rivers, NRDC, National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and The Union of Concerned Scientists, as well as over a dozen state and local groups.

Become a part of the Campaign here!

Download the Campaign Fact Sheet here.

For additional information, please contact:

Wendy Wilson
wwilson@rivernetwork.org
(208) 345-3689

or

Travis Leipzig
tleipzig@rivernetwork.org
(503) 542-8396