Category: Water Resources
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Urgent Action Needed to Protect the Cryosphere and Global Water Security
The latest State of the Cryosphere Report presents deeply concerning evidence of accelerating ice loss and its cascading impacts on global water resources and climate systems. Let me highlight several critical findings: We are witnessing unprecedented rates of cryosphere decline. Mountain glaciers globally set record losses in 2023-2024, with some regions like Sweden showing the…
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Strengthening Water Security in Europe and Beyond
Climate change severely impacts Europe’s water resources, with the continent experiencing more frequent and intense droughts and floods. Southern and western Europe are facing reduced annual rainfall, leading to water shortages, while heavy rainfall events are causing flash floods and harming groundwater recharge. These changes degrade water quality by introducing pollutants, resulting in water scarcity…
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The Silent Reordering of the Worlds’ Rivers
Recent research has revealed a startling trend: the flow of our global rivers is shifting. From 1984 to 2018, mapped daily streamflow in nearly 2.9 million rivers worldwide. The findings show river outlets are experiencing significant decreases in flow, while headwaters are seeing increases. This upstream shift in streamflow now affects 29% of the global…
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#COP29: A call to invest in our planet’s future
The reality of extreme weather and climate risk Over the past ten years, there have been close to 4,000 extreme weather events linked to climate change around the globe, resulting in nearly $2 trillion in economic losses. These events affect our communities and economies exceptionally. In 2022 and 2023 alone, the damages amounted to $451…
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Achieving “Nature Positive” through Net Gain Legislation and Value Water at COP16
In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the pursuit of a “nature positive” world has emerged as a critical objective. This vision aims for a measurable enhancement in the health, abundance, and resilience of natural ecosystems by 2030. Achieving this ambitious goal necessitates transformative changes in global legislation and resource management, particularly concerning water—a…
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Transforming Water Governance Through Data
We are at a pivotal moment in managing water, our planet’s most essential resource. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water’s report highlights that the global water cycle is imbalanced, threatening our water security, sustainable development, climate change efforts, and biodiversity. A key factor in addressing these challenges is data, which is crucial for…
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Global Water Security and Climate Resilience
#Watersecurity is a critical global challenge, with 25 countries experiencing extremely high water stress, affecting one-quarter of the world’s population. By 2050, an additional 1 billion people could face extreme water stress, and 31% of global GDP ($70 trillion) may be exposed to high water stress. The Green Climate Fund has mobilized $2.8 billion for…
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Chemodiversity in Freshwaters: A New Lens on Ecosystem Health and Water Quality
Research increasingly suggests that the health of lakes, rivers and other fresh waters is closely tied to the diversity of dissolved organic matter (DOM). DOM consists of thousands of distinct carbon-based compounds from different plant and animal sources, which make up what scientists call “chemodiversity.” There are four key ways chemodiversity influences ecosystem functioning: Nutrient…
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Water Security as a Cornerstone of Climate Resilience and the 2030 Agenda
Water security is critical to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Access to clean water and sanitation is necessary for goals such as poverty reduction, food security, and climate resilience to become attainable. However, the global water crisis, intensified by climate change, threatens these efforts. Billions still need essential water and sanitation services, and…
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Panama Canal Faces Water Crisis Amid Climate Change Threats
The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is 50 miles long and consists of a series of locks that raise ships 26 meters above sea level. This allows ships to cross the Isthmus of Panama, a mountain range separating the two oceans. The canal is a vital…
Bapon (SHM) Fakhruddin, PhD 