Imagination Challenge: Water’s Role in the Race to Zero
In 2021 the US Water Alliance, together with four core partners, launched the Imagination Challenge as part of our Recovering Stronger and Climate Initiatives. An Imagination Team of diverse experts will tackle water’s role in climate mitigation and set a strategic pathway for greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions.
About the Imagination Challenge
Scientists say we have less than a decade to act on climate, and any efforts to help the water sector recover stronger must contribute to progress on the climate crisis. The water sector has ample opportunities to contribute to climate mitigation and adaption efforts while pursuing sector goals like resilience and sustainability. From renewable energy generation to carbon sinks, water can help reduce the nation’s carbon footprint.
The Imagination Challenge was developed to create the intellectual, creative, and collaborative space that surfaces innovative solutions and an overarching strategy to reduce water’s GHG footprint across the nation. A sector-wide Imagination Team will undertake this challenge, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The Challenge kicked off with an International Water and Climate Mitigation Symposium, co-hosted by the US Water Alliance and Xylem. This symposium explored insights and recent developments from international water partners pursuing the Race to Zero vision: net zero carbon emissions by 2050. To learn more about the symposium and watch the recording, click here.
Following this symposium, the Imagination Team will take a deep dive into understanding how the US water sector can advance these efforts and unite around a vision and strategic pathway for water’s role in climate mitigation. The Imagination Team will be guided through a series of strategic dialogues, as well as a cross-sector roundtable in partnership with the Aspen Institute. A shared vision and codifying principles are expected for release in early 2022.
Read more about the Imagination Challenge here.
Meet the Imagination Team
Comprised of over 35 diverse experts from across the sector, the Imagination Team will work together throughout 2021 to tackle this Challenge. The team includes representatives from water associations, utilities, academia, consulting firms, environmental organizations, equity leaders, rising One Water professionals, and artists.
*Core partner or supporter.
Barb Martin, Director of Engineering and Technical Services, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Diane VanDe Hei, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)
Ifetayo Venner, Vice President, Arcadis
Cindy Wallis-Lage,* Executive Director, President, Water Business, Black and Veatch
Nancy Andrews, Managing Principal, Solids and Energy, Brown and Caldwell
David Gadis, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, DC Water
Dr. Beverly L. Wright, Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome,* Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Empowering a Green Environment and Economy, LLC
Erin Genia, Multidisciplinary Artist, Educator, and Organizer, Erin Genia Studio
Snehal Desai, Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, Evoqua Water Technologies, LLC
Walt Walker, Associate / Water Equity Practice Leader, Greeley and Hansen
Yvonne W. Forrest, Director, Houston Water
Chauncia Willis, Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management
Susan Moisio, Global Water Director, Jacobs
Matt Bond, Deputy Director, KC Water
Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Hardeep Anand, Deputy Director, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
George Hawkins, Founder and President, Moonshot Missions
Adam Krantz, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
Jane Atkinson Gajwani, Director, Office of Energy and Resource Recovery Programs, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Heather Cooley, Director of Research, Pacific Institute
Michael McAfee,* President and Chief Executive Officer, PolicyLink
Terisa Thomas, Director, Clean Water Finance, Quantified Ventures
Ari Neumann, Director, Community and Environmental Services, Rural Community Assistance Partnership
Jason Bregman, Partner, Singer Studio
Janene Yazzie, Chief Executive Officer, Sixth World Solutions
Dr. Newsha K. Ajami, Director of Urban Water Policy, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment
Art Umble,* Global Wastewater Practice Leader, Stantec
Erik Meyers, Vice President, Climate and Water Sustainability, The Conservation Fund
Ashwin Dhanasekar, Research Program Manager, The Water Research Foundation (WRF)
Dr. Christobel Ferguson, Chief Innovation Officer, The Water Research Foundation (WRF)
Dr. Jose Pablo Ortiz-Partida, Bilingual Climate and Water Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
Dr. Diego Rosso, Professor and Director, Water-Energy Nexus Center, University of California, Irvine
Dr. Barry Liner, Chief Technical Officer and Director, Water, Science, and Engineering Center, Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Sonia Brubaker, Director, Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center, US Environmental Protection Agency
Katy Lackey,* Senior Program Manager, US Water Alliance
Renée Willette,* Vice President, Programs and Strategy, US Water Alliance
Al Cho,* Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and Digital Officer, Xylem
For more information on the Imagination Challenge, please contact Katy Lackey at klackey@uswateralliance.org.
Thank you to the Imagination Challenge core partners and supporters!
