There are many activities taking place around the world that invite communities to speak with one voice about the importance of keeping our rivers alive. It is a day to remember that access to clean water is vital to all communities and that communities should have a say in the decisions that affect water availability.
This international day of action against dams and for rivers, water and life was born in Brazil in March 1997 during the first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams.
It is a call for equitable and sustainable management of rivers and for extreme vigilance as many rivers are in danger, even in areas that are said to be protected!
No less than 1249 dams have been erected on rivers in protected areas, while more than 500 more are planned, according to statistics from a European NGO. ERN is committed to the preservation and sustainable management of rivers and water resources. It develops awareness-raising and educational campaigns on this subject.
Positive Action by the Fondation Rivières
In Quebec, the mission of the Fondation Rivières (in French only) is, among other things, to “preserve the natural character of rivers, ensure public access to them and maintain water quality for our health and that of biodiversity.” To this end, the Foundation has made a number of commitments, including:
- Protect rivers from unjustified hydroelectric dams. It was thanks to this same struggle that, nearly 20 years ago, we succeeded in saving 36 waterfalls from the construction of private dams.
- Improve water quality by combating sources of pollution. We achieve this through tools such as the spill chart, AuditEAU and our various studies.
- Guarantee public access to Quebec’s lakes and rivers for everyone by organizing the Grand Splash and supporting citizen groups.
As part of its awareness-raising role, the Foundation published an article on water, the forgotten impact of the Northvolt project.
Other initiatives to protect or revitalize watercourses are underway across Quebec, notably in the Outaouais region. Watch a video on agriculture and water ((in French only)) in relation to Rivière Centrale in northeastern Bas-Saint-Laurent.