We are taking a short break from our Actions to Mitigate against Flood and Drought series to talk about Sharknado. Yes, Sharknado… 

If you happened to be on Twitter on Wednesday, you might have noticed that the second installment of the movie Sharknado was a trending topic. The campy made-for-TV movie about tornadoes that drop scores of sharks over major American cities has received a lot of media attention. While movies like Sharknado are a fun excuse to suspend reality, we also thought we’d highlight a few alternative acclaimed water-focused documentaries recommended by the water community. 

 

Sharknado in Edmonton

1. Water: A Sacred Relationship

On Wednesday night we asked the following question to our Twitter followers:   

 

Our recommendation was the film Water: A Sacred Relationship   

The documentary is a part of a broader research and educational project. It is “aimed at using the issue of water to reconcile the relationship between Indigenous people and the rest of Canada”.   

Why it is better: Thoughtful dialogue on important issues. 

 

2. The Colorado River: Running Near Empty

Twitter user @WaterPuppetry recommended the film The Colorado River: Running Near Empty, a documentary following photojournalist Peter McBride as he traces the natural course of the Colorado River and explores the human impact on “America’s Nile River”. 

Why it is better: The drama is real.

 

3. Great Canadian Rivers

British Columbia’s Knowledge Network offers the series Great Canadian Rivers profiling major Canadian Rivers. Choose from a number of videos on Canada’s great river or watch the episode on the Athabasca River available online on August 11th. 

Why it is better: It’s local. Sharknado’s only seem to hit American coasts.

 

4. Watermark

Our friends at the Elbow River Watershed Partnership suggested Watermark, a stunning film by renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky.  

Why it is better: Unlike Sharknado, Watermark is an award winning film. Sharknado may have been nominated for a People’s Choice award but didn’t win despite the hype.

 

5. Cold Amazon

Lastly, check out the trailer for the documentary Cold Amazon which showcases Canada’s massive MacKenzie River Basin. Those profiled in the documentary argue that there is still time to protect Canada’s biggest river but the time to act is now.    

Cold Amazon: The Mackenzie River Basin – Trailer from WDGF Channel on Vimeo.

Why it is better: You’ll actually learn something.

 

Any films you would recommend? Are you planning to watch any of these Sharknado alternatives this weekend? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet!  

 

 

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Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.