A major characteristic of the water-climate scenario in Eastern and North-Eastern India is the frequency of droughts and floods following each other in succession. In such an environment, low cost water-saving technologies for farmers and other water users becomes essential.
The UN climate negotiations in Cancún, Mexico, will be an opportunity to take a sober look at the state of the world’s climate and our collective capacity to respond to the changes which are already visible: more extreme weather events, floods, droughts, glacier melting, polar ice caps shrinking, and sea levels rising, GWP Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki writes in a publication issued for the COP16 delegates (click on link at right).
Agriculture: the major sector of water consumption
Intensive abstraction for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes has led to depletion of surface and groundwater bodies. Overexploitation of groundwater resources in particular, has led to seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. Over the last 50 years, water demand for all sectors of activity together has doubled to reach 280 km3/ year in 2007.
The Mediterranean basin ranks among the first in the list of the world top tourist destinations. Tourism activity registers annually around 250 million visitors and the number of domestic and international tourists should reach 637 million by 2025. It is estimated that every tourist consumes between 300 and 850 liters of water per day.
Three new members of the GWP Technical Committee have been appointed. After a worldwide search in 2009, 95 nominations were received. Taking into account the Committee’s existing experience and expertise, its regional mix, gender (four women, three men) and its anticipated areas of work, the GWP Steering Committee approved the appointment of the following new members:
The Global Water Partnership Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki and the GWP Central and Eastern Europe Chair Dr. Liviu Nicolae Popescu will participate in the European event “Aquawareness Policy Forum” on World Water Day 22 March in Brussels, Belgium.
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Invitation to Press Briefing
Organised at COP 15 by Global Water Partnership and the Global Public Policy Network on water management.
TUESDAY 8th DECEMBER: 14:00, ROOM ASGER JORN (Located in Hall H of the Bella Centre)
Water is the primary medium through which climate change impacts will be felt by human populations and the environment. Adapting to climate change will require adapting to changes in water availability and distribution.
Interview with Ms. Zalilah Selamat, The National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM)
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