Number of questions: [5]
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Posted on 22/03/2007 13:13:19 |
dear sir,
wwf recently released their list of ten river which due to some collective reasons like pollution ,climate change etc are going to disappear or get deceased.since these rivers are very important source in their regions , what do u think is the source of freshwater for people depending on them post such phenomenas?
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dhaval joshi
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Dear Dhaval Joshi,
The question you have posed is a relevant question for many areas and very relevant to match the theme of this year’s World Water Day – Water Scarcity.
Of course the first goal is to avoid these rivers from drying up. Though they may currently be on an “endangered” list, there is still much that can be done to reduce pollution and adapt to climate change. The very practices that can help avoid their drying up are those that would be used if they were to dry up, as such, it is best to put such practices in place now.
Such practices would include integrated planning to determine the reasons they are drying up and mitigate them now. For example, If such stresses include excess extraction for agriculture, then irrigation practices must be made more efficient, including better use of rainwater where appropriate. Integrated planning must also include other increased efficiency programmes - in other words getting the most out of what you have available - for example in industrial or tourism sectors.
UN-Water, a coordinating mechanism for all UN agencies working on water, has published a brochure on Coping with Water Scarcity. Within this brochure you will find out what all UN agencies are doing as well as other alternatives. You will find a link to UN-Water and the UN-Water World Water Day on our freshwater webpage: http://www.unep.org/themes/freshwater/
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Posted on 22/03/2007 12:16:34 |
The mismanagement of hazardous materials can result in severe environmental risks and has become a universal concern during the last years. There is no region throughout the world which does not suffer from toxic contamination in one way or another. Originally, the probelm arose with how to stop industrialized nations from exporting hazardous materials to developing nations where the disposal took place in inadequately prepared sites. What is Germany's position on this issue? Has it ratified the Basel Convention including the one on Persistant Organic Pollutants from 2001? How active is Germany in the importing and or exporting of waste?
Evidently the main challenges the international community is facing today are the establishment of linkages of the Basel Convention with the Stockholm Convention, the development of environmentally sound management guidelines for persistant organic pollutants, metals, batteries and plastics, refinement of financial limits under the Liability and Compensation Protocol and establishing of an emergency trust fund mechanism. What then are the possible solutions regarding the control of traffic of harzadous materials? Should it be restricted completely? How can education on the risks of materials be improved?
After the Probo Koala incident the African states requested the Prague Symposium on Illegal International Traffic in Harzadous Chemicals amongst others the establishment of sub regional mgt and monitoring systems to prevent illegal traffic; establishment of mechanisms to promote cooperation amongst relevant stakeholders; establishment and maintenance of information networks; development and implemenation of the necessary regulatory frameworks with penalities for contravention; and also the establishment of the necessary import and export control mechanisms and strengthening of customs enforcement capacity. Does Germany as a country agree upon these requests? How does Germany respond to these questions?
Generally, I would like to know what Germany's current position is on this topic. Your assistance and immediate response would be mostly appreciated.
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Debora Oyuko
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Dear Debora,
The export of hazardous and toxic waste is of course an important issue and impacts as well on water resources. I am sorry I cannot give you the position of the German goverment however.
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Posted on 22/03/2007 11:35:04 |
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How is UNEP harmonizing its Water policy and strategy with the governments policies on freshwater?
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Nancy Wanja
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Dear Nancy,
UNEP's Water Policy and Strategy is in fact built on the foundation set by national governments through various international fora. For example, during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, the governments agreed to set a target for all countries to develop integrated water resource management (IWRM) plans and water efficiency plans. If you review the UNEP Water Policy and Strategy available on our freshwater site, you will see the clear thread of IWRM throughout.
Also, the UNEP Water Policy and Strategy was approved by the national governments during the 24th Session of UNEPs Governing Council in February 2007. In decided to have UNEP adopt the Water Policy and Strategy for a six-year period to guide how UNEP will help countries as well as subregional or regional authorities, they have agreed the approach was the correct one.
Thanks.
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Posted on 22/03/2007 11:33:04 |
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What strategies do you propose for educating policy-makers in your area of specialization ?
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Centre for Environment Education
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This is key to seeing real change at the national level. One strategy is to ensure that we work not just with the very top of the political chain, but at the senior career civil servant level - those that do not normally change when new elections take effect. Both levels are important, but if we work to raise awareness only at the Ministerial level, we miss out on this important constituency.
Another important aspect is inclusiveness of water resource planning. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) includes awareness raising and involvement at all levels and among all stakeholders. Through such an inclusive process policy makers learn not only from those providing the information (trainers, capacity-builders, etc.), but also from their peers and the public in an interactive and iterative process.
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Posted on 22/03/2007 08:15:59 |
Wat are ypu doing for fresh water
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nils nils
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Thank you for your question. Though quite broad in scope, let me respond covering UNEP’s main areas of focus.
UNEP’s work in freshwater focuses on sustainable management of water resources through integrated management. Translated into plain terms, UNEP works towards making water resources available to all users (agricultural, industrial, domestic, etc.), but without jeopardizing the longer term use of those same resources. To do this we promote and assist in the development of water resource planning at the national or water catchment level that involves all stakeholders to ensure all affected people (in particular the poor) have a voice in decision-making. The planning process is preceded by water resource assessments which include reviewing the quantity and quality of groundwater and surfacewater, as well as often underutilized rainwater, in the catchment area. Once a plan is developed it must be implemented and monitored to ensure that it is meeting the objectives set by the stakeholders. If not, adjustments must be made.
Other specific areas of work include, promoting regional or subregional cooperation on shared waters, promoting rainwater harvesting to increase available water resources, working to ensure water resources are available to maintain healthy ecosystems and building-capacity of national officials and other stakeholders to assess and manage their own waters.
You will find more information on UNEP’s freshwater programme by reviewing our webpage and the new Water Policy and Strategy at: http://www.unep.org/themes/Freshwater/index.asp
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