The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has named University of Northern British Columbia Environmental Science Professor Dr Stephen Déry as the first NSERC/Rio Tinto Senior Industrial Research Chair in Climate Change and Water Security.
The $1.5 million in research funding from NSERC and Rio Tinto will allow Déry to quantify the roles of climate variability, climate change and water management in the Nechako River basin's water supply.
Industrial Research Chairs facilitate research collaborations between universities and partners in the private or public sectors, which result in economic, social and/or environmental benefits.
Dr Stephen Déry said "This five-year program of research builds on the capacity my research group has developed over the past 15 years and will make use of the latest technology and state-of-the-art numerical models in advancing our knowledge on the impacts of climate change on water security in the Nechako watershed. It is important to collaborate with a private sector partner such as Rio Tinto, with a view to seeing our research findings applied to help manage the environmental impacts of industrial activity."
The objective of this Industrial Research Chair is to better understand the impacts of climate change and human activity on the long-term water security of the Nechako watershed. Water is critical to the wellbeing of the ecosystem and is also of primary importance for the day-to-day operation of Rio Tinto's aluminium smelter in Kitimat, British Columbia. Continuing to expand the program of research and monitoring in the Nechako River Basin remains a top priority for its communities and Rio Tinto.
Rio Tinto BC Works general manager Affonso Bizon said "This partnership will build on Rio Tinto's long standing support for the UNBC and commitment to managing the Nechako watershed responsibly. We share UNBC's commitment to advancing education and research in the region, and look forward to seeing the findings from this work to build on our environmental management program for the Nechako."
The funding from NSERC and Rio Tinto will also support 13 students ranging from doctoral candidates and post-doctoral fellows, to master's students and senior undergraduate researchers.
UNBC president Dr. Daniel Weeks said "Dr Stephen Déry's research into the consequences of climate change on the water cycle in the north is of upmost importance to Canadians and is an ideal fit for UNBC's first Industrial Research Chair. This collaboration between NSERC, Rio Tinto and UNBC will create knowledge around the future of the Nechako River and will contribute to the ongoing global climate conversation."
