22 April is Earth Day. Celebrated since 1970, Earth Day has evolved into one of the largest civic events on Earth, activating billions of people across 192 countries to safeguard our planet and fight for a brighter future. The 2024 theme, Planet vs. Plastics, revolves around the idea of building a plastic-free planet for generations to come.
The 'Resilient Thessaly' project, based on partnership between GWP-Med, the Municipality of Trikala and The Coca-Cola Foundation, will implement stormwater management works, within the frame of a holistic intervention aimed to strengthen the city's climate resilience in response to the devastating floods caused by storm Daniel in September 2023.
In celebration of this year's World Water Day theme "Water for Peace", GWP-Med, Horizon2020 REXUS Communication & Dissemination leader, explains the 3 ‘steps’ that are key to turning water into an opportunity for collaboration rather than conflict, and how REXUS is addressing them.
Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources. This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 Member States, whose population in 2018, was estimated to be at 345.2 million, a rise from 336.9 million as of 2017. Rivers play a pivotal role in the region's socio-economic development, as evidenced by its reliance on these waterways. Southern Africa boasts of 15 major transboundary river basins, shared among neighbouring countries, with 13 basins entirely within the region's borders. However, the equitable distribution of water resources remains a challenge, exacerbated by climatic factors influencing rainfall patterns and the geographical distribution of river basins. While these rivers can spark conflicts, they also serve as conduits for peace and cooperation. Therefore, prioritizing transboundary water cooperation is not merely about economic prosperity but also essential for nurturing stability and harmony throughout the region.
