Best Management Practices in Water Governance and Climate Adaptation in Saskatchewan, Canada- Voices from the Prairies

Keywords: Water Governance, Climate Adaptation, Saskatechwan-Canada
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 09:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 68

Abstract

The "wicked problem" of climate change will create and increase risk for natural and human systems, , making adaptation a critical challenge. The province of Saskatchewan contains 46% of Canada's farmland and is the breadbasket of Canada. This province faces intense climate variability, which will further exacerbate the already frequent droughts and floods. Despite the fact that BMPs have been around for more than 50 years, Canada's water quality is at risk and is degrading from industrial effluent, agricultural runoff etc. This poor water quality is possibly due to the fact that BMPs have been understood from the viewpoint of the disciplines of physical sciences and are not reflected in governance and policy science. Globally and locally "the water crisis," accentuated by climate change, is increasingly recognized as a crisis of water governance more so than one of natural conditions. It is also not one that can necessarily be solved through technical solutions. It is implied as a crisis of decision-making processes between people, government, and business with respect to water. To address these challenges, many municipalities and communities in SK have developed adaptations to water governance and climate change challenges in the form of "best management practices" (BMPs), such as community drainage ditches for crop flooding, source water protection plans, etc. Using qualitative multiple case study method this research identifies and understands BMPs and their robustness as adaptive governance measures) in 13 Saskatchewan municipalities. This work is significant as adaptive institutions are much needed in the Prairies.