New course launched to prepare next generation on the future of London’s water supply
River charity Thames21 has worked with community water management programme CAMELLIA, supported by Royal Bank of Canada’s environmental commitment RBC Tech for Nature, to develop a new teaching resource called Water Futures that explores London’s water resource management.
The Water Futures learning tool, in the form of a cross-curricular case study, aims to help students answer questions such as ‘how does water move from the natural environment into the urban water cycle?’ and ‘how can we ensure we don’t run out of water?’
The tool, via the Water Futures website, also explores the ways that scientists, engineers and management authorities make decisions about water resources and visualises changes in London’s water supply under the pressures of climate change and population growth.
Currently, secondary school children are taught aspects of water resource knowledge in relation to climate change. However, this tool will enable secondary schools to cover the topic comprehensively in the school curriculum. A range of resources are provided to help teachers to implement the case study in the classroom, including a role-playing game where students act as water resources engineers tasked with solving London’s water future.
Commenting on the new tool, Chris Coode, Deputy Chief Executive at Thames 21, said: “The Water Futures project creates a vital learning resource for students, helping them understand the complex environmental issues around managing water and the impacts that climate change and a growing population will have in the future. We’re immensely grateful to Royal Bank of Canada’s Tech for Nature donation and the supporting schools for working with us to inform and empower young people and create a more sustainable water future.”
Desiree Clarke-Noble, Managing Director, Brand and Marketing, Europe and APAC, RBC Capital Markets, commented: “We’re delighted to have helped fund the development of the new Water Futures teaching resource through RBC Tech for Nature, our multi-year commitment to preserving our natural ecosystem. With the effects of climate change affecting us all, it’s important that we educate young people with knowledge around key environmental issues, including water resource management.”
On behalf of CAMELLIA, Tijana Jovanovic, Hydrological Research Scientist at the British Geological Survey, said: “The Community Water Management for a Liveable London (CAMELLIA) team is delighted to have participated in this innovative secondary school educational project in partnership with Royal Bank of Canada and Thames 21. More than ever, it is vital that our children learn about water management and begin to understand the challenges we face when protecting our water both today and for future generations. By learning in an interactive manner and using actual engineering/scientific models, we hope that they can be empowered to identify pressing future issues, such as climate change impacts, and be able to explore and support possible solutions.”
Helen Cox, Humanities Lead at Croxley Danes School who helped shape the programme said: “It’s a massive part of what we’re learning about in geography, it comes into so many different areas and to understand the connection of climate change to water availability, I think, is really important.”
If you would like to find out more about the Water Futures project, click on the link here.
About CAMELLIA
The CAMELLIA programme brings together engineering, urban planning, and socio-economic experts with governmental and planning authorities, industry, developers and citizens to work together to understand London’s water system, its challenges and common goals. It is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and involves Imperial College London, University College London, British Geological Survey and University of Oxford. To learn more, visit camelliawater.org/programme.
About RBC Tech for Nature
RBC Tech for Nature is a core pillar of Royal Bank of Canada’s Climate Blueprint – an enterprise strategy to accelerate clean economic growth and support our clients in a socially inclusive transition to net-zero. To learn more about RBC Tech for Nature or view the complete partner roster, visit RBC.com/techfornature.
About Thames21
Thames21 connects people with rivers by putting healthy rivers back at the heart of everyday life. We improve and restore rivers, educate and empower the community and campaign for positive change for the good of people and the environment. To learn more, visit www.thames21.org.uk
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