Science Alone

“Science Alone” is a series of portraits of the scientists and science workers whom I met at the Coldwater Laboratory in Canmore and the Centre for Hydrology at the University of Saskatchewan.  The title is meant to refer to the unique positions of these researchers.  They are in a race against time, in a battle against apathy and ignorance, in a fight for resources, and in a constant struggle to be heard by global leaders, policy-makers, legislators, regulators, and the general public.  Scientists can see the unfolding crisis from an entirely unique perspective.  They understand, perhaps more deeply than any of us, the danger of our current path.  Scientists are amassing the evidence needed to support the case for action, but as one leading researcher recently told me, it often feels like “no one is listening.”

Paradoxically, despite this continuous fight to be heard, there is also a widespread faith that science alone can, and will, fix things.  Most believe that the solutions to our ecological problems are technical, involving the development of new technologies and breakthrough science that will wrestle the crisis to the ground.  Of course this is unrealistic.  Deep cultural, social and economic transformations are required as well, but many are unwilling to make such changes, and are happy to place the burden solely on the scientific community.

Science is indeed alone in having to navigate these difficult and contradictory conditions.

Fortune-Tellers

Among the foremost objectives of Global Water Futures is improving our understanding of what lies ahead.  Predicting the future is an ancient tradition with a storied past.  In the Judaeo-Christian Bible, for instance, there were about 40 prophets listed, all of whom read the signs and railed on about the future.  Sadly, most of them were ignored, some were even killed.  Let’s hope for a better outcome for our brave band of GWF scientists.

As part of this science-art project, Sam Baardman journeyed through diverse research sites, from the Athabasca glacier and the Fortress Mountain Research Basin in Alberta, to the Clavet Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence, St. Denis National Wildlife Area and Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan. Scientists at these locations delve into the intricacies of water and ecosystems, studying snowpack changes, glacier melt, groundwater flow, and beaver dams. This research aims to understand changes and their impacts on society, influencing aspects like drinking water availability, agriculture, and landscapes management. Sam captured firsthand insights from scientists during his visits. Explore testimonials from some of the scientists who shared a day in the field with Sam during his visit:

“As Sam and I trekked across Athabasca glacier, we chatted about using drone technology to monitor the rapid recession of glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, and how drones provided a different vantage point for looking at our changing world. While hiking across a glacier, its easy to see the effects of climate change from the rapid run off of glacial melt water and cracking ice at the toe of the glacier, however the magnitude of change becomes much clearer when you can see a bird’s eye view of the collapse of a glacier.” - Madison Harasyn

”Fortress Mountain Research Basin has been an integral part of understanding mountain hydrology in the Canadian Rockies. Spending the day with Louise and Sam showcasing the history of this area and our research operations within was very special after my 9 years of research involvement here. Spending time at Fortress and its field sites is inspiring, thought provoking and provides a great setting for connecting the public with science.” - Lindsey Langs

Several of these research sites are part of a broader network, and you can discover additional information about it here.