The Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge encourage the establishment of a network to foster collaborative research and development in energy, natural resources and the environment. This seems like a no brainer. Energy is critical to Canadians. It drives our economy, contributes directly to our quality of life and brings external revenues to Alberta that supports our health care, education, and community services. Environmental quality, water and energy production are interrelated. One of the more obvious links, the direct production of hydroelectricity from water produces energy without greenhouse gas emissions – this is good. However, damming impacts the environment. Water is also used for enhanced oil recovery in conventional oilfields, and in the production of synthetic crude from the oil sands. The current methods of conventional gas and coal bed methane production have the potential to change surface or ground water flows and significantly impact the environment.
Speaker: Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick is a Professor of Biochemistry and Vice-President (Research) at the University of Lethbridge. He is a biological scientist by training, holding degrees in biological sciences, nutrition and biochemistry. He maintained an active research program for over twenty years working in two major areas, nutritional toxicology, sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; and Andean Foods Systems, a multi-centred agriculture and environmental science network sponsored by the International Development Research Centre of Canada. In recognition of his contributions to graduate training and research in Latin America, Dr. Fitzpatrick was made Honorary Professor at Universidad Nacional de San Agustin, Arequipa-Peru. The University of Lethbridge is committed to meeting the education and research needs of Albertans. As part of this commitment, Dr. Fitzpatrick serves on a number of key associations such as Alberta Value Added Corporation, the Agriculture and Foods Council, the Western Watersheds Institute and the organizing committee for The Confronting Water Scarcity Conference hosted by the University of Lethbridge.