by Edward Milford
16. March 2009 15:15
With the extensive news coverage of climate change, it is easy to forget that the world has other, very pressing environmental issues to deal with. Water is an obvious example, and though many aspects of the world water situation are linked to climate change, the issues facing the water industry are far, far more than just a sub-set of climate issues. In too many parts of the world, the existing water resources and infrastructure are simply not large enough to support the growing needs of growing populations.
A lack of water, or a lack of suitable quality of water, has a direct and immediate impact on human life. It is therefore probable that the severe environmental stress humans are placing on the planet’s resources will initially show up as problems relating to water. After all, the main impacts of climate change are expected to be most felt in years or decades, while the impact of water supply problems can be immediate (disease), days (floods), or weeks or months (drought).
All of which makes the relative paucity of news coverage of water-related issues rather surprising. It reminds me of the position in the early 1990s, when climate change was talked about a lot in specialist circles, but barely rated a mention in newspapers or on the television.
Water issues will be getting a thorough discussion at the World Water Forum in Istanbul this week. One of the volumes that delegates will be using is the thorough and comprehensive third United Nations World Water Development Report, called Water in a Changing World that we are publishing on behalf of UNESCO and their partner organisations to coincide with the event. It is three years since the last of these reports was prepared, and it contains an enormous amount of information, and has tried to ensure that it embraces a holistic structure.
It is organised in four main sections. The first looks at understanding what drives the pressures on water. The second is about how water is used, the third on the state of the resource, while the final section looks at responses and choices. Throughout, one key theme is trying to resolve what is referred to as the ‘water box’ dilemma. Professionals in the water sector need to find ways to influence policy makers who are usually outside the water profession, and ensure that the politicians and decision makers are aware of the consequences of decisions about water on wider developmental and societal objectives, and the resource implications if these are to be met.
If this new book can help along that crucial path, it will have been well worthwhile.
