WIT Press


Generational Differences In Policy Preferences For Water Sharing: Implications For The Future

Price

Free (open access)

Volume

178

Pages

13

Page Range

307 - 319

Published

2013

Size

377 kb

Paper DOI

10.2495/WS130261

Copyright

WIT Press

Author(s)

H. Bjornlund, W. Xu & X. Zhao

Abstract

Conflicts over reallocation of water, from existing water licence holders to meet new demand from consumptive users and the environment, are likely to intensify over time. This study explores the support for three policy orientations towards water sharing among four generations of voters. We find that the four generations have significantly different level of support for policies aiming at protecting the environment and protecting current licence holders. Younger generations are more supportive of both. This could suggest two future policy scenarios. Conflicts could intensify as greater support is likely to emerge from those two presumably opposing policy orientation as the current voting base ages, or the increased support for both orientations could result in a higher willingness for policy compromises. Keywords: sustainable irrigation, water sharing, Alberta, Canada.

Keywords

sustainable irrigation , water sharing, Alberta, Canada