Climate Change Discussed at Water Day

Press release,
4 November 2009
Global Water Partnership

Governments, UN agencies, international NGOs and civil society advocates
gathered at a Water Day in Barcelona today, to urge negotiators to
consider the critical role that water plays in climate change
adaptation.

Participants called for recognition that water is not a sector but is
the primary medium through which climate changes will impact on human
populations, society and ecosystems, due to predicted changes in its
quality and quantity. The way that water is managed in and between
countries will be a critical component for the success of any efforts to
adapt to the impacts of climate change. It will also be a vital
consideration for many mitigation activities, including hydropower,
agriculture and forestry projects.

To a large extent, the global climate crisis is a global water crisis.
Yet the latest iteration of the negotiating text on adaptation, the
so-called Non-Paper 31, has deleted any clear references to water and
its management as a vital consideration for climate change adaptation.
This is despite increasing mobilisation by the water community to call
for a strong outcome on water from Copenhagen.

"If we look at the issue of climate justice, the countries hardest hit
by climate change are those least able to afford the massive adaptation
and social change efforts that are required. Many other regions and
countries are also facing huge adaptation costs - such as the
Philippines following the recent typhoons. Increasing water scarcity and
extreme flood events both cause great suffering, and temperature
increases will bring more water-related disasters in future. A just and
fair deal on climate change requires that these issues are put firmly on
the negotiating agenda, and kept there."

Dr Ania Grobicki, Executive Secretary, Global Water Partnership

ENDS

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