The Inaugural Global Water & Technology Forum Addresses the Challenges of Water Shortages and Climate Change

The Metropolitan Water District's inaugural Global Water & Technology Forum, taking place on May 20 , will be attended by more than 800 scientists, researchers, students, inventors and investors from throughout the world.

The Forum is aimed at addressing the challenges caused by water shortages and climate change.

Featuring hands-on demonstrations of futuristic green technologies on the market, the forum, will be held at the Diamond Valley Lake Visitor Center in Hemet in southwest Riverside County. It will begin sharp at 9 a.m. and the entry is free.  

"Today all of us-from those in the water industry, our elected leaders and regulators to representatives in the labor, business and environmental communities-are at a crossroads. We are dealing with a new and permanent reality of limited water resources," Metropolitan board Chairman Timothy F. Brick, said.

"Together, we will develop a deeper understanding and get a better handle on the challenges we all face in managing our water resources and responding to the effects of climate change, while we identify and implement successful solutions," Brick said.

The forum, hosted by Metropolitan's Business Outreach Program, will help attendees hear and learn from experts in the field of archaeology, climate change, economics, resource planning and planetary science.

Six moderated panel discussions on topics and perspectives ranging from a historical "Last Days of Water: Lessons from Prehistory" workshop to a future outlook with "Nanotechnology-The Wave of Future Jobs" will be presented by the event.

Also, to present a workshop on "The Search for Water in the Solar System" Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will join with NASA.

Attendees, along with the workshops, will be able to view several technology demonstrations and alternative fuel vehicles as part of a resource alley and exhibition tent housing dozens of green product vendors and innovators.

To explore collaboration and share information, a special "matchmaking" session will pair investors and inventors for one-on-one meetings.

"The reason behind this forum is to respond to a new reality of permanent shortage in resource management," Brick said. "By bringing the public together with thinkers and innovators, the investment community, academia, science and government, we hope to foster an interactive exchange of ideas to advance more ideas and solutions."

Metropolitan's Business Outreach Program, launched in 2001, offers incentives to local and small businesses participating in the district's competitive contracting.

In related news, the teams of students at Scripps Ranch High School, San Diego High School-SciTech, become first San Diego County participants in Metropolitan Water District solar-powered boat program the nation's largest.