Description
Book SynopsisThe United Nations World Water Development Report, published every three years, is a comprehensive review providing an authoritative picture of the state of the world's freshwater resources. It offers best practices as well as in-depth theoretical analyses to help stimulate ideas and actions for better stewardship in the water sector. It is the only report of its kind, resulting from the collaboration and contributions of the 26 UN agencies, commissions, program, funds, secretariats and conventions that have a significant role in addressing global water concerns.
The news media are full of talk of crises - in climate change, energy and food and troubled financial markets. These crises are linked to each other and to water resources management. Unresolved, they may lead to increasing political insecurity and conflict.
Water is required to meet our fundamental needs and rising living standards and to sustain our planet‘s fragile ecosystems. Pressures on the resource come from a growing and mobile population, social and cultural change, economic development and technological change. Adding complexity and risk is climate change, with impacts on the resource as well as on the sources of pressure on water.
The challenges, though substantial, are not insurmountable. The Report shows how some countries have responded. Progress in providing drinking water is heartening, with the Millennium Development Goal target on track in most regions. But other areas remain unaddressed, and after decades of inaction, the problems in water systems are enormous and will worsen if left unattended.
Leaders in the water sector can inform decisions outside their domain and manage water resources to achieve agreed socioeconomic objectives and environmental integrity. Leaders in government, the private sector and civil society determine these objectives and allocate human and financial resources to meet them. Recognizing this responsibility, they must act now!
Two volume set: 336
Trade Review'Most important guidelines for the whole freshwater crises debate.'
Sherkin Comment
Table of ContentsReport Contents:
Foreword by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations
Foreword by Ko chiro Matsuura, Director-General, United Nations Economic, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Preface
Acknowledgements
Overview of Key Messages
Water in a Changing World
1. Getting out of the Box - Linking Water to Decisions for Sustainable Development
Part I: Understanding What Drives the Pressures on Water
2. Demographic, Economic and Social Drivers
3. Technological Innovation
4. Policies, Laws and Finance
5. Climate Change and Possible Futures
Part II: Using Water
6. Water's Many Benefits
7. Evolution of Water Use
8. Impacts of Water Use on Water Systems and the Environment
9. Managing Competition for Water and the Pressure on Ecosystems
Part III: State of the Resource
10. The Earth's Natural Water Cycles
11. Changes in the Global Water Cycle
12. Evolving Hazards - and Emerging Opportunities
13. Bridging the Observational Gap
Part IV: Responses and Choices
14. Options inside the Water Box
15. Options from Beyond the Water Box
16. The Way Forward
Appendix 1: World Water Development Report Indicators
Appendix 2: Water-Related Goals and Objectives of Major Conferences and Forums, 1972-Present
Abbreviations, Data Notes and Units of Measure
List of Boxes, Figures, Maps and Tables
Index
Case Studies Contents:
Foreword
Overview
Section 1: Africa
Cameroon
Sudan
Swaziland
Tunisia
Zambia
Section 2: Asia and the Pacific
Bangladesh
China: the Yellow River basin
Pacific islands
Pakistan: the Cholistan desert
Republic of Korea: the Han River basin
Sri Lanka: the Walawe River basin
Uzbekistan: the Aral Sea basin
Section 3: Europe and North America
Estonia
Finland and the Russian Federation: the Vuoksi River basin
Italy: the Po River basin
The Netherlands
Spain: the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country
Turkey: Istanbul
Section 4: Latin America and the Caribbean
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay: La Plata River basin
Brazil and Uruguay: Lake Mer n basin
