Our world is approaching a situation where several resources are becoming scarce at the same time, e.g., energy, nutrients, water, space, while at the same time climate change is proceeding. This will cause problems even in areas where such problems may at present seem negligible. Wealth and wellbeing of coming generations will depend on our ability to adapt our economies to this challenge in the finite world we are living in. Transforming today’s cities into sustainable cities is one of the main adaptations that will be necessary. A holistic approach looking at cities from a system’s perspective is needed to achieve this goal.
Following on GWP’s engagement for gender equality, GWP Cameroon has carried out a study on gender-related impacts of fluorosis in northern Cameroon. The report, which is due to be published shortly, shows that impacts are significantly worse for girls and women and that gender-sensitive responses are needed. The report was discussed and validated at a workshop on 24 May in Maroua, Cameroon, by key institutional actors, development partners, and civil society groups.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR5), the effects of climate change will reduce renewable surface water and groundwater resources in most dry subtropical regions. These changes may intensify competition for water among all sectors, strain already water-scarce environments, and negatively impact water quality and quantity globally. Transboundary water basins are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, says Sonja Koeppel, Secretary of the UNECE Water Convention, as she highlights the up-coming Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on freshwater security that GWP is developing together with partners.
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and partners are organising the 54th Greater
Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 54) in Mombasa, Kenya, on 27-29 January.
On 11 September 2019, GWP, together with the World Bank and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), launched a new working paper: “Framework for the Assessment of Benefits of Action/Cost of Inaction (BACI) for Drought Preparedness.” The launch took place on the Drought Preparedness Day at the 14th UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP14), held in New Delhi, India.
