Water Ethics as a Cultural System:Water Ethics as a Cultural System: A View from the Rio Grande of New MexicoA View from the Rio Grande of New Mexico

David GroenfeldtDavid Groenfeldt

Water-Culture InstituteWater-Culture Institute

SfAA Meetings – DenverSfAA Meetings – Denver

March 22, 2013March 22, 2013

ContentsContents

1.1. Theoretical Framework (culture, ideology, Theoretical Framework (culture, ideology, and science)and science)

2.2. Western Water Culture (general)Western Water Culture (general)

3.3. Diversity of Water Culture and Ideologies Diversity of Water Culture and Ideologies among Rio Grande Stakeholdersamong Rio Grande Stakeholders

4.4. Steps to a New Water EthicSteps to a New Water Ethic

1. Theory1. Theory

Culture vs. IdeologyCulture vs. Ideology Geertz, North, Facchini and MelkiGeertz, North, Facchini and Melki

Ideology vs. ScienceIdeology vs. Science Latour, others??Latour, others??

Dissonance as driver of changeDissonance as driver of change ““a situation in which the costs of justifying the a situation in which the costs of justifying the

knowledge, crystallised in the norms and knowledge, crystallised in the norms and beliefs, become prohibitive.” (Facchini and beliefs, become prohibitive.” (Facchini and Melki 2011)Melki 2011)

2. Western Water Culture2. Western Water Culture(as seen in the Middle Rio Grande)(as seen in the Middle Rio Grande)

Water viewed as a disembodied resourceWater viewed as a disembodied resource Rio Grande is a conveyance channelRio Grande is a conveyance channel

“…“…the Rio could die, and it would be a drag, the Rio could die, and it would be a drag, but not necessarily terribly impactful for…but not necessarily terribly impactful for…water supply... It can always be piped in from water supply... It can always be piped in from somewhere else. “They will figure something somewhere else. “They will figure something out.” [RG Attitudes Survey, 2003]out.” [RG Attitudes Survey, 2003]

Rio Grande AttitudesRio Grande Attitudes

““Few citizens…consider the ecosystem when Few citizens…consider the ecosystem when talking about the Rio. It is almost as if it exists in talking about the Rio. It is almost as if it exists in isolation….There is virtually no acknowledgement isolation….There is virtually no acknowledgement of an ecosystem, plants, animals, fish and the like. of an ecosystem, plants, animals, fish and the like. The image that is burned into everyone’s mind is a The image that is burned into everyone’s mind is a solitary river (more like a canal) cutting through the solitary river (more like a canal) cutting through the burning sands of the desert.”burning sands of the desert.”

Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)

““The river as a habitat is not a readily available The river as a habitat is not a readily available construct in most people’s minds, and...most construct in most people’s minds, and...most accept the idea that species ‘come and go’. Only accept the idea that species ‘come and go’. Only one or two of the many, many people we spoke one or two of the many, many people we spoke with ever got close to the larger message of the with ever got close to the larger message of the minnow and what its presence or absence minnow and what its presence or absence suggests about the ecosystem of the river.” suggests about the ecosystem of the river.”

Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)

““The identity of the river proved to be the single The identity of the river proved to be the single most consistent element of this inquiry... The river most consistent element of this inquiry... The river was always seen as a very old man – wizened, was always seen as a very old man – wizened, brown, dry, thirsty, wrinkled, homeless, staggering, brown, dry, thirsty, wrinkled, homeless, staggering, and soon to die.... Many feel pity for this old heroic and soon to die.... Many feel pity for this old heroic fellow. fellow.

One of the Acequia folks…described the RG as an One of the Acequia folks…described the RG as an old man with a walker, who was on death’s old man with a walker, who was on death’s doorstep. Environmental workers, he referred to as doorstep. Environmental workers, he referred to as hospice workers.”hospice workers.”

Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.) Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)

““There is also a great deal of pride and spirit in the There is also a great deal of pride and spirit in the personality of the river…The river is a cagey, personality of the river…The river is a cagey, intelligent, crafty, seasoned, wise, silent, austere intelligent, crafty, seasoned, wise, silent, austere cold, solitary, and at times a bit grumpy. He is also cold, solitary, and at times a bit grumpy. He is also proud, able, fierce, mysterious, mercurial and free-proud, able, fierce, mysterious, mercurial and free-spirited. Unlike more abundant, serene, flowing spirited. Unlike more abundant, serene, flowing and female rivers, the RG is a bit of a renegade. A and female rivers, the RG is a bit of a renegade. A bit of an outsider, living on the edge....it has a bit of an outsider, living on the edge....it has a mythic charactermythic character.” .”

Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.) Rio Grande Attitudes (cont.)

"Most citizens say if the Rio had one dream, it "Most citizens say if the Rio had one dream, it would be to flow. They acknowledge that it is the would be to flow. They acknowledge that it is the presence of dams that have forever altered the presence of dams that have forever altered the flow, the ‘natural’ state of the river. And most flow, the ‘natural’ state of the river. And most equally easily suggest that the river can not and equally easily suggest that the river can not and will not flow naturally again. And they are OK with will not flow naturally again. And they are OK with this. In simple terms, it’s the river or us. And we this. In simple terms, it’s the river or us. And we know who they will vote for on that one. Most know who they will vote for on that one. Most citizens view themselves as part of a long line of citizens view themselves as part of a long line of people who have ‘rights’ to water.people who have ‘rights’ to water.

Rio Grande Attitudes (Cont.)Rio Grande Attitudes (Cont.)

““Who is watching over the Rio? Who has its best Who is watching over the Rio? Who has its best interests at heart?...This question seemed to interests at heart?...This question seemed to mobilize and challenge people... It appeared to mobilize and challenge people... It appeared to help them come to grips with their own apathy and help them come to grips with their own apathy and detachment from the river…Right now there is no detachment from the river…Right now there is no authority, no address, no one to turn to when authority, no address, no one to turn to when questions of the river arise in people’s questions of the river arise in people’s minds....This is a clear vacuum that the citizen and minds....This is a clear vacuum that the citizen and others want to see filled. They know something others want to see filled. They know something needs to be done, and they know they aren’t doing needs to be done, and they know they aren’t doing it – and fear no one else is.” it – and fear no one else is.”

IMAG0815.jp

Rio Grande just north of AlbuquerqueRio Grande just north of Albuquerque

Dominant Water EthicDominant Water Ethic Private water rights defined by:Private water rights defined by:

Priority claims Priority claims Economically Beneficial Use Economically Beneficial Use Use it or lose itUse it or lose it

Response to scarcity Response to scarcity increase supplyincrease supply Protect existing usersProtect existing users

Response to floodsResponse to floods Dams and leveesDams and levees

Ecosystem valued for recreation and “ecosystem Ecosystem valued for recreation and “ecosystem services”services”

7 Stakeholder Groups7 Stakeholder Groups

1.1. Pueblo Indian TribesPueblo Indian Tribes

2.2. Acequia GroupsAcequia Groups

3.3. Federal Water AgenciesFederal Water Agencies

4.4. State Water AgenciesState Water Agencies

5.5. Agricultural interestsAgricultural interests

6.6. Cities (Albuquerque)Cities (Albuquerque)

7.7. Environmental GroupsEnvironmental Groups

1. Pueblo Indian Water Ethics1. Pueblo Indian Water Ethics

““the Rio Grande used to be pure and clean. We the Rio Grande used to be pure and clean. We would harvest a tremendous bounty off the river. would harvest a tremendous bounty off the river. All kinds of fish, from eels to catfish to carp. All kinds of fish, from eels to catfish to carp. One day the U.S. Corps of Engineers came and One day the U.S. Corps of Engineers came and they straightened the river out and the river was they straightened the river out and the river was destroyed. They destroyed a clean and pure destroyed. They destroyed a clean and pure system of water clear from its headwaters down system of water clear from its headwaters down through the village…” (Santa Clara man) through the village…” (Santa Clara man)

……The river is more than water. She is the link between The river is more than water. She is the link between land and sky…she has ’organs’ made up of plant and land and sky…she has ’organs’ made up of plant and animal communities. She is a whole community, living and animal communities. She is a whole community, living and breathing. Her skin is the soil; it breathes, sweats, and breathing. Her skin is the soil; it breathes, sweats, and nourishes her. Her lungs are the trees and other plants. nourishes her. Her lungs are the trees and other plants. They cleanse the air of carbon dioxide and give us oxygen They cleanse the air of carbon dioxide and give us oxygen instead! Her blood is the water flowing in her channel, and instead! Her blood is the water flowing in her channel, and her kidneys are the wetlands. Together they nourish and her kidneys are the wetlands. Together they nourish and cleanse the body of the land.cleanse the body of the land.

- adapted from conclusions of conference on Water - adapted from conclusions of conference on Water and Culture, Santa Fe, 2003and Culture, Santa Fe, 2003

Cochiti Dam looking northCochiti Dam looking north

Construction of Cochiti Dam Construction of Cochiti Dam (according to Regis Pecos, 2007)(according to Regis Pecos, 2007)

““One of the most emotional periods in our history was One of the most emotional periods in our history was watching our ancestors torn from their resting places, watching our ancestors torn from their resting places, removed during excavation. The places of worship were removed during excavation. The places of worship were dynamited, destroyed, and desecrated by the construction. dynamited, destroyed, and desecrated by the construction. The traditional homelands were destroyed. When the flood The traditional homelands were destroyed. When the flood gates closed and waters filled Cochiti Lake, to see the gates closed and waters filled Cochiti Lake, to see the devastation to all of the agricultural land upon which we devastation to all of the agricultural land upon which we had walked and had learned the lessons of life from our had walked and had learned the lessons of life from our grandfathers destroyed before our eyes was like the world grandfathers destroyed before our eyes was like the world was coming to an end. And all we could do was watch.”was coming to an end. And all we could do was watch.”

““All of you [water professionals] deal only with water. Those All of you [water professionals] deal only with water. Those who come to the table on behalf of tribal governments and who come to the table on behalf of tribal governments and their people come with extraordinary loads of responsibility their people come with extraordinary loads of responsibility with a…historical perspective. These are all issues with a…historical perspective. These are all issues intricately tied and related to one another. Discussions on intricately tied and related to one another. Discussions on water, the sacredness of its spirit, the source of all life is at water, the sacredness of its spirit, the source of all life is at the heart of our sacred trust.” [Regis Pecos]the heart of our sacred trust.” [Regis Pecos]

2. Acequia Water Ethics2. Acequia Water Ethics

““The tacit, underlying premise is that all living creatures The tacit, underlying premise is that all living creatures have a right to water” (Rodriguez, p. 115). have a right to water” (Rodriguez, p. 115).

Another cultural core belief related to water as that its use Another cultural core belief related to water as that its use should be shared: “The principle of water sharing belongs should be shared: “The principle of water sharing belongs to a larger moral economy that promotes cooperative to a larger moral economy that promotes cooperative economic behavior through inculcating the core value of economic behavior through inculcating the core value of respecto and gendered norms of personal comportment” respecto and gendered norms of personal comportment” (p. 116 (p. 116

Embudo Valley, NM

New Mexico Acequia Association:New Mexico Acequia Association:

““Our mission is to sustain our way of life by protecting Our mission is to sustain our way of life by protecting water as a community resource and strengthening the water as a community resource and strengthening the farming and ranching traditions of our families and farming and ranching traditions of our families and communities.”communities.”

"El Agua es la Vida" is our campaign to defend water as a "El Agua es la Vida" is our campaign to defend water as a community resource. Demands to move water out of community resource. Demands to move water out of traditional communities to industry, sprawling cities, and traditional communities to industry, sprawling cities, and commercial uses that are often viewed as "higher economic commercial uses that are often viewed as "higher economic uses" threaten the survival of acequias and the water uses" threaten the survival of acequias and the water security of the historic, agricultural communities of New security of the historic, agricultural communities of New Mexico. Mexico.

3. Federal Agency Water Ethics3. Federal Agency Water Ethics

The Middle Rio Grande Project was authorized by the Congress to improve and The Middle Rio Grande Project was authorized by the Congress to improve and stabilize the economy of the Middle Rio Grande Valley by rehabilitation of the stabilize the economy of the Middle Rio Grande Valley by rehabilitation of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District facilities and by controlling sedimentation Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District facilities and by controlling sedimentation and flooding in the Rio Grande…. and flooding in the Rio Grande….

USACE: USACE: The Corps of Engineers was assigned the construction of flood control The Corps of Engineers was assigned the construction of flood control reservoirs and levees for flood protection.reservoirs and levees for flood protection.Ecosystem restoration is not an authorized objective for USACE flood control Ecosystem restoration is not an authorized objective for USACE flood control operations (Would need special authorization).operations (Would need special authorization).

. .

USBR: USBR: “The authorized maintenance goals for the Middle “The authorized maintenance goals for the Middle Rio Grande Project have evolved over time and include:Rio Grande Project have evolved over time and include:Provide for effective transport of water and sediment to Provide for effective transport of water and sediment to Elephant Butte Reservoir Elephant Butte Reservoir Conserve surface water Conserve surface water Protect riverside structures and facilities Protect riverside structures and facilities Reduce and/or eliminate aggradation Reduce and/or eliminate aggradation Reduce the rate of channel degradation from Cochiti Dam Reduce the rate of channel degradation from Cochiti Dam south to Socorro south to Socorro Provide habitat improvements for Endangered Species Provide habitat improvements for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species within the Project areaAct (ESA)-listed species within the Project area

USBR Collaborative Program USBR Collaborative Program – goals are to (1) alleviate – goals are to (1) alleviate jeopardy to listed species, (2) conserve and contribute to jeopardy to listed species, (2) conserve and contribute to the recovery of the listed species, (3) protect existing and the recovery of the listed species, (3) protect existing and future water uses, and (4) report to the community about future water uses, and (4) report to the community about their work. their work.

US Fish and Wildlife Service US Fish and Wildlife Service Middle Rio Grande Bosque Middle Rio Grande Bosque Initiative: The objective of the MRGBI is to protect, Initiative: The objective of the MRGBI is to protect, enhance, and restore biological values and “the bosque’s enhance, and restore biological values and “the bosque’s health” by addressing ecological functions within the Middle health” by addressing ecological functions within the Middle Rio Grande through an integrated "ecosystem approach" to Rio Grande through an integrated "ecosystem approach" to restoration.restoration.

Jetty Jacks near AlbuquerqueJetty Jacks near Albuquerque

4. State Agency Water Ethics4. State Agency Water Ethics

Office of the State Engineer:Office of the State Engineer:No mention of the Rio Grande as a river. The operational No mention of the Rio Grande as a river. The operational agreement between New Mexico and USBR concerns agreement between New Mexico and USBR concerns water allocation and deliveries only; no purpose statement water allocation and deliveries only; no purpose statement included.included.

Middle Rio Grande Habitat Restoration projects DO have Middle Rio Grande Habitat Restoration projects DO have ecological purpose, but specific to ESA (Silvery minnow):ecological purpose, but specific to ESA (Silvery minnow):

“ “The Middle Rio Grande Riverine Habitat Restoration The Middle Rio Grande Riverine Habitat Restoration Project Phase IIa will implement and evaluate specific Project Phase IIa will implement and evaluate specific restoration techniques designed to improve the river restoration techniques designed to improve the river ecosystem function and provide greater diversity in aquatic ecosystem function and provide greater diversity in aquatic habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery Minnow.” – habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery Minnow.” – from OSE website from OSE website

5. Farmers’ River Ethics 5. Farmers’ River Ethics

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy DistrictMiddle Rio Grande Conservancy District 32,000 ha irrigated area32,000 ha irrigated area 14,000 ha valley forest (14,000 ha valley forest (bosquebosque)) Water diverted for agriculture “is reused time and time Water diverted for agriculture “is reused time and time

again to irrigate crops, sustains the cottonwood again to irrigate crops, sustains the cottonwood bosque along the Rio Grande, helps create and bosque along the Rio Grande, helps create and maintain habitat for the endangered Rio Grande maintain habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow and recharges the aquifer.silvery minnow and recharges the aquifer.

Motto: “Keep the Valley Green” Motto: “Keep the Valley Green”

Farmer Ethics (cont.)Farmer Ethics (cont.)

““Farmers do not appear to have any more Farmers do not appear to have any more tenderness for the river than anyone else. For tenderness for the river than anyone else. For them water and the river are two different things. them water and the river are two different things. The river is simply a delivery vehicle for water.” The river is simply a delivery vehicle for water.” (RG Attitude Survey 2003) (RG Attitude Survey 2003)

6. Municipal Water Ethics 6. Municipal Water Ethics

Albuquergue-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Albuquergue-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority No mission statementNo mission statement ……regional issues that need to be pursued include… an regional issues that need to be pursued include… an

inclusive public process to determine acceptable inclusive public process to determine acceptable tradeoffs among urban, agricultural, and riparian water tradeoffs among urban, agricultural, and riparian water needs; equitable sharing of costs and benefits… (2007 needs; equitable sharing of costs and benefits… (2007 Water Strategy)Water Strategy)

““the regional aquifer, Bosque and the Rio Grande are the regional aquifer, Bosque and the Rio Grande are exceptional resources of great value to both residents exceptional resources of great value to both residents and wildlife that provide the region with an environment and wildlife that provide the region with an environment unique in the West. The Authority should adopt policies unique in the West. The Authority should adopt policies …to protect these environmental features.” …to protect these environmental features.”

Levee Task ForceLevee Task Force

The role of the LTF was to evaluate the current state of the The role of the LTF was to evaluate the current state of the Rio Grande levees and to determine significant issues of Rio Grande levees and to determine significant issues of compliance under recently established levee regulations compliance under recently established levee regulations and to formulate recommendations for needed and to formulate recommendations for needed improvements or reconstruction of the Rio Grande levees. improvements or reconstruction of the Rio Grande levees. The LTF was also requested to look into the flood risks The LTF was also requested to look into the flood risks associated with the levees and the possible environmental associated with the levees and the possible environmental and economic impacts of the overall levee system. [Third and economic impacts of the overall levee system. [Third Report to the New Mexico Water and Natural Resources Report to the New Mexico Water and Natural Resources Committee, Oct. 2011]Committee, Oct. 2011]

7. Environmental NGOs’ Water Ethics7. Environmental NGOs’ Water Ethics

NM Audubon Society NM Audubon Society – “Balancing the water needs of – “Balancing the water needs of a healthy river ecosystem with the water demands of a healthy river ecosystem with the water demands of Rio Grande basin residents is the most pressing issue Rio Grande basin residents is the most pressing issue facing the Rio Grande today”…. “Audubon New Mexico facing the Rio Grande today”…. “Audubon New Mexico is advocating for protection, restoration, and in some is advocating for protection, restoration, and in some cases acquisition, of critical lands along the Rio Grande. cases acquisition, of critical lands along the Rio Grande. We also partner with other organizations to host We also partner with other organizations to host volunteer restoration work-days, lead field trips, and volunteer restoration work-days, lead field trips, and sponsor community events to highlight significant river sponsor community events to highlight significant river birds and wildlife and foster stewardship of the Rio birds and wildlife and foster stewardship of the Rio Grande.”Grande.”

NGO values (cont.)NGO values (cont.)

Wild Earth Guardians Wild Earth Guardians – is working to give the river a right – is working to give the river a right to its own water; and prioritize the river’s own water as to its own water; and prioritize the river’s own water as having priority over low-value agriculture such as alfalfa. having priority over low-value agriculture such as alfalfa. The group has initiated litigation to challenge water The group has initiated litigation to challenge water transfers, floodplain development, water pollution and other transfers, floodplain development, water pollution and other activities that threaten the Rio Grande.activities that threaten the Rio Grande.

What are the Operative Water Ethics?What are the Operative Water Ethics?

Pueblos, Environmental Groups, and Acequias:Pueblos, Environmental Groups, and Acequias: River has a right to its own water and healthRiver has a right to its own water and health Wildlife has intrinsic value Wildlife has intrinsic value

State and Federal AgencieState and Federal Agenciess Protect senior rights holders and “beneficial use”Protect senior rights holders and “beneficial use” Environmental values only if recognized in law (e.g., ESA) and not Environmental values only if recognized in law (e.g., ESA) and not

for intrinsice value of ecosystemfor intrinsice value of ecosystem Law recognizes intrinsic value of endangered species onlyLaw recognizes intrinsic value of endangered species only

Farmers and Local GovernmentsFarmers and Local Governments Amenity value of river ecosystem is recognized but low priorityAmenity value of river ecosystem is recognized but low priority Water security to support status quo and (within this) cost Water security to support status quo and (within this) cost

effectiveness are paramounteffectiveness are paramount

Ethics, Sense, and SustainabilityEthics, Sense, and SustainabilityPueblos vs Enviros vs Acequias?Pueblos vs Enviros vs Acequias?

Intrinsic value of nature (all can agree)Intrinsic value of nature (all can agree) Environment as stakeholderEnvironment as stakeholder

Right of the river to flow (Rights of Nature)Right of the river to flow (Rights of Nature) Qualified support by mainstream enviros and Qualified support by mainstream enviros and

acaquiasacaquias Absolute support by Pueblos and some Absolute support by Pueblos and some

envirosenviros

Transition DiscourseTransition Discourse

Is our goal a sustainable global system or just Is our goal a sustainable global system or just one pluriverse (Escobar)?one pluriverse (Escobar)? ““e pluribus unum”e pluribus unum”

Can water policies become a “model for” living Can water policies become a “model for” living sustainably rather than a “model of” neoliberal sustainably rather than a “model of” neoliberal greed?greed?

Can water discourse contribute to Thomas Can water discourse contribute to Thomas Berry’s “Great Work” to usher in the Ecozoic era, Berry’s “Great Work” to usher in the Ecozoic era, or will we remain stuck in the Anthropocene?or will we remain stuck in the Anthropocene?

How Can We Use Water Ethics?How Can We Use Water Ethics?

Reveal operational ethics in local contexts and Reveal operational ethics in local contexts and compare with local and international idealscompare with local and international ideals UNESCO principles of water ethicsUNESCO principles of water ethics

IUCN principles of international enviornmental lawIUCN principles of international enviornmental law

Stimulate sense of ideological dissonance through Stimulate sense of ideological dissonance through stakeholder dialogue and debatestakeholder dialogue and debate

Incorporate new values into management goalsIncorporate new values into management goals Setting value-based goals is fundamental to water Setting value-based goals is fundamental to water

governance and managementgovernance and management

Fundamental Princples of Water Ethics Fundamental Princples of Water Ethics (UNESCO)(UNESCO)

Human dignityHuman dignity: for there is no life without water;: for there is no life without water; Participation: Participation: everyone should be involved in water planning and everyone should be involved in water planning and

management management Solidarity:Solidarity: upstream-downstream interdependence upstream-downstream interdependence Human equality: Human equality: Common Good: Common Good: Stewardship:Stewardship: intergenerational equity and sustainable use of intergenerational equity and sustainable use of

ecosystems;ecosystems; TransparencyTransparency and universal access to information: and universal access to information: Inclusiveness: Inclusiveness: Minority interests must be protected Minority interests must be protected Empowerment: Empowerment: “Best ethical practice will enable stakeholders to “Best ethical practice will enable stakeholders to

influence management.” influence management.”

Ethical Principles from International LawEthical Principles from International Law(not specific to water)(not specific to water)

(from K. Kintzele, IUCN Committee on Ethics and Law)(from K. Kintzele, IUCN Committee on Ethics and Law)

Prevention of trans-boundary harm/prior notification Prevention of trans-boundary harm/prior notification Precautionary/cautionary Precautionary/cautionary Polluter pays Polluter pays Common heritage of mankind Common heritage of mankind Conserve environment and natural resources Conserve environment and natural resources Public rights: access to information, to justice; participation Public rights: access to information, to justice; participation

in decision-making in decision-making Public trust Public trust Intergenerational rights – respecting past and present Intergenerational rights – respecting past and present Cultural rights of indigenous peoples Cultural rights of indigenous peoples

Incorporating Ethics into Water GovernanceIncorporating Ethics into Water Governance

Enlarging and clarifying the frame of “stakeholder” Enlarging and clarifying the frame of “stakeholder” From only water rights holders to everyone within the basinFrom only water rights holders to everyone within the basin Including Nature as a stakeholderIncluding Nature as a stakeholder Including future generationsIncluding future generations

Applying principles of ecological, social, and cultural justiceApplying principles of ecological, social, and cultural justice Critiquing legal and economic frameworks from an ethical Critiquing legal and economic frameworks from an ethical

perspectiveperspective Applying “rights” principles toApplying “rights” principles to

Rights of Rivers and water ecosystemsRights of Rivers and water ecosystems Rights of Cultures (UN-DRIP)Rights of Cultures (UN-DRIP)

Developing a Developing a Water Ethics Charter Water Ethics Charter (starting April 2013)(starting April 2013)

Click Click herehere for more… for more…

http://waterethics.org

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