Peru: Water Resource Management & Sustainable Practices

As growing demands for resources and management challenges are increasing, communities around the world are forging ahead in the movement to become more sustainable. Climate change concerns are driving the need for carbon dioxide reduction, energy conservation, and urban heat reduction. Changes in flooding and drought patterns are pushing the communities to assess vulnerabilities and take action to become more resilient. Water scarcity and water quality concerns caused by changing population and land use are forcing communities to think beyond traditional water management approaches, while simultaneously applying indigenous knowledge to these processes. The high cost of aging infrastructure maintenance and replacement has encouraged many communities to seek alternatives. Increasing concern over energy cost as well as energy security and reliability has increased the public pressure for sustainability. Additionally, the increase in public preference for sustainable agriculture is leading to the revision of field practices and more environmentally friendly technologies. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this course provides knowledge of the theory and practice of this concept and the investigation of urban and rural water issues from the environmental management perspective. These topics will stimulate a critical examination of the historical and conceptual antecedents. With a focus on water resource management, these topics will also provide experience with the complex challenges of utilizing renewable energy in a sustainable manner. It will review the ecosystem approach to understanding water as a resource and how science, policy, decision-making, ethics, and corporate approaches each play an important role in the management of water in the urban setting. Peru will be examined through case studies.