This document summarizes key points from the World Water Assessment Programme's fourth report "Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk". The report highlights that demand for water will greatly increase in the coming decades due to population growth, increasing wealth, and dietary shifts. At the same time, climate change is expected to reduce water availability in many places. To avoid future food, water, and energy insecurity, better coordination is needed between the water, agriculture, and energy sectors in policy design and planning for multiple possible futures.
Biodiversity loss and the global water crisis - A fact book on the links betw...Wetlands International
Globally we are facing a water crisis. This booklet aims to highlight the links between this water crisis and biodiversity loss. Both are the result of the same root causes and both problems reinforce each other. The booklet draws on the knowledge and understanding developed by Wetlands International and its partners over many years and is supplemented with key information from other, peer reviewed studies.
Climate Change & Water Crisis Around The WorldRidhimaThakkur
Climate change is affecting every aspect of life on the planet. The world urgently needs to make the shift to a low-carbon future to avoid irreversible damage to our planet like water scarcity, severe air pollution, etc.
Socio-economic development and availability of water are strongly interrelated.
Advances in water related engineering, technology and management have been central to progress in human development.
Today water remains central to many aspects of socio-economic development – key to energy and food production (nexus) and other areas of human endeavor.
While some regions gain from better water management, much of the world’s population increasingly depend on water moved from one river basin to another. New options are explored to achieve this economically and with reduced socio-environmental damage.
As part of the World in 2030 global open foresight project, this point of view shares some perspective on changes ahead.
With climate change, increasing urbanisation, growing contamination, higher water consumption, more intensive farming and rising industrial use in many economies all having significant and combined impact, as the global population approaches 10 billion, but the net amount of water on the planet stays constant, concerns over water stress have been building. With 70% of water used for agriculture, a quarter of humanity is now facing a looming water crisis. A broadening range of urban areas need multiple innovations to provide water to cities throughout the year.
Although better water management and the decreasing cost of desalination are having impact in some regions, in many others, and especially for fast-growing inland cities, the task of ensuring continued water access is mounting. Simply moving water from one river basin to another is not straightforward. It is fraught with technological, environmental, economic and socio-political challenge. There are however several developments underway to enable more effective long-distance movement of water – some focused on building new infrastructure at scale and others looking to imaginatively repurpose existing assets to help meet the inevitable future demand.
Share your views @futureagenda
Soil is fundamental, fragile and finite. It impacts everything from food and health to conflict and migration. Deeper understanding of its degradation raises the significance of soil to equal that of climate change and biodiversity loss.
We know that the quality of our soil is the key to the food we grow, the clothes we wear and the water we drink. It recycles nutrients, sequesters carbon, is fundamental to biodiversity, helps keep our ecosystems in balance and is an essential part of our general wellbeing. But, although soil represents the difference between survival and extinction for most terrestrial life, human activities have caused it harm leading to compaction, loss of structure, nutrient degradation, increasing salinity and denuding landscapes. Furthermore, the urgent need to preserve soil receives relatively little attention from governments. An unsung hero of our planet, it is fragile, infinitely important and finite. Why do we treat it with such disregard?
As part of the World in 2030 programme, this foresight explores the future of soil and the stresses ahead https://www.futureagenda.org/foresights/peaksoil/
Biodiversity loss and the global water crisis - A fact book on the links betw...Wetlands International
Globally we are facing a water crisis. This booklet aims to highlight the links between this water crisis and biodiversity loss. Both are the result of the same root causes and both problems reinforce each other. The booklet draws on the knowledge and understanding developed by Wetlands International and its partners over many years and is supplemented with key information from other, peer reviewed studies.
Climate Change & Water Crisis Around The WorldRidhimaThakkur
Climate change is affecting every aspect of life on the planet. The world urgently needs to make the shift to a low-carbon future to avoid irreversible damage to our planet like water scarcity, severe air pollution, etc.
Socio-economic development and availability of water are strongly interrelated.
Advances in water related engineering, technology and management have been central to progress in human development.
Today water remains central to many aspects of socio-economic development – key to energy and food production (nexus) and other areas of human endeavor.
While some regions gain from better water management, much of the world’s population increasingly depend on water moved from one river basin to another. New options are explored to achieve this economically and with reduced socio-environmental damage.
As part of the World in 2030 global open foresight project, this point of view shares some perspective on changes ahead.
With climate change, increasing urbanisation, growing contamination, higher water consumption, more intensive farming and rising industrial use in many economies all having significant and combined impact, as the global population approaches 10 billion, but the net amount of water on the planet stays constant, concerns over water stress have been building. With 70% of water used for agriculture, a quarter of humanity is now facing a looming water crisis. A broadening range of urban areas need multiple innovations to provide water to cities throughout the year.
Although better water management and the decreasing cost of desalination are having impact in some regions, in many others, and especially for fast-growing inland cities, the task of ensuring continued water access is mounting. Simply moving water from one river basin to another is not straightforward. It is fraught with technological, environmental, economic and socio-political challenge. There are however several developments underway to enable more effective long-distance movement of water – some focused on building new infrastructure at scale and others looking to imaginatively repurpose existing assets to help meet the inevitable future demand.
Share your views @futureagenda
Soil is fundamental, fragile and finite. It impacts everything from food and health to conflict and migration. Deeper understanding of its degradation raises the significance of soil to equal that of climate change and biodiversity loss.
We know that the quality of our soil is the key to the food we grow, the clothes we wear and the water we drink. It recycles nutrients, sequesters carbon, is fundamental to biodiversity, helps keep our ecosystems in balance and is an essential part of our general wellbeing. But, although soil represents the difference between survival and extinction for most terrestrial life, human activities have caused it harm leading to compaction, loss of structure, nutrient degradation, increasing salinity and denuding landscapes. Furthermore, the urgent need to preserve soil receives relatively little attention from governments. An unsung hero of our planet, it is fragile, infinitely important and finite. Why do we treat it with such disregard?
As part of the World in 2030 programme, this foresight explores the future of soil and the stresses ahead https://www.futureagenda.org/foresights/peaksoil/
Integrated Water Resource Planning - Water, Forests, People and PolicyGeoEngineers, Inc.
This slideshow presents a series of graphics, photographs and statements reflective of integrated water resource management with specific reference to forest management in a changing climate. We are already experiencing the migration of animals and humans with climate shifts. The severity and frequency of wildfires, droughts, floods and ocean acidification are also increasing. Impacts to our economy, infrastructure and atmosphere have lead us to difficult choices regarding land use and future policy development to better manage our natural resources.
Wayne Wright, CFP, PWS
Sr. Principal, Fisheries & Wetland Scientist, Market Intelligence Leader at GeoEngineers
HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIAMunira Shahbuddin
The moral argument and ethical challenges and framework for sustainability through holistic water management in Malaysia. Should we confine to standard approach that only measures cost benefit analysis of social policies to serve the majority of the public and deprive basic rights (water, food, air and life) of the indigenous and rural communities.This lecture combines technical approaches in sustainable water management and philosophical views - to address problems and challenges in climate change and global warming.
Climate Change And Water Crisis- Obstacle for the sustainable environment. Climate change is a complex problem that has increased the need for an integrated, multi-sectorial and multidisciplinary response. Apart from the normal water domain, decision-makers in other spheres (finance, trade, energy, housing, regional planning, agriculture) must use and consume water efficiently. Sustainable management and development of water resources will play a pivotal role in preparing societies’ ability to adapt to climate change in order to increase resilience and achieve development goals.
The seminar report aims to draw attention to the critical importance of better water resources management in adapting to climate change and gives reasons why it should be systematically integrated into national plans and international investment.
• Find out causes of climate change and its impact on the water crisis.
• Water sources and demand of water.
• Actions to improve the ability to understand impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change in the water sector;
• Actions were taken to enhance informed decisions on adaptation planning, measures, and action.
“What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt - it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Environmental issues emerging from increase in populationDevansh Tiwari
More people require more resources, which means that as the population increases, the Earth’s resources deplete more rapidly. The result of this depletion is deforestation and loss of biodiversity as humans strip the Earth of resources to accommodate rising population numbers
How many people can comfortably fit into your car? What happens when you double that number? Can your car safely and comfortably carry you all? What about the planet? Everyone has to have someplace to live, they must eat, they must use the bathroom, take baths, cook, clean and do all the things we humans do. But what happens when there are too many people crowded into an area? Can the earth carry that load, so to speak? Should there be fewer people, or should people simply learn new and more efficient ways to use the resources we have available?
Integrated Water Resource Planning - Water, Forests, People and PolicyGeoEngineers, Inc.
This slideshow presents a series of graphics, photographs and statements reflective of integrated water resource management with specific reference to forest management in a changing climate. We are already experiencing the migration of animals and humans with climate shifts. The severity and frequency of wildfires, droughts, floods and ocean acidification are also increasing. Impacts to our economy, infrastructure and atmosphere have lead us to difficult choices regarding land use and future policy development to better manage our natural resources.
Wayne Wright, CFP, PWS
Sr. Principal, Fisheries & Wetland Scientist, Market Intelligence Leader at GeoEngineers
HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIAMunira Shahbuddin
The moral argument and ethical challenges and framework for sustainability through holistic water management in Malaysia. Should we confine to standard approach that only measures cost benefit analysis of social policies to serve the majority of the public and deprive basic rights (water, food, air and life) of the indigenous and rural communities.This lecture combines technical approaches in sustainable water management and philosophical views - to address problems and challenges in climate change and global warming.
Climate Change And Water Crisis- Obstacle for the sustainable environment. Climate change is a complex problem that has increased the need for an integrated, multi-sectorial and multidisciplinary response. Apart from the normal water domain, decision-makers in other spheres (finance, trade, energy, housing, regional planning, agriculture) must use and consume water efficiently. Sustainable management and development of water resources will play a pivotal role in preparing societies’ ability to adapt to climate change in order to increase resilience and achieve development goals.
The seminar report aims to draw attention to the critical importance of better water resources management in adapting to climate change and gives reasons why it should be systematically integrated into national plans and international investment.
• Find out causes of climate change and its impact on the water crisis.
• Water sources and demand of water.
• Actions to improve the ability to understand impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change in the water sector;
• Actions were taken to enhance informed decisions on adaptation planning, measures, and action.
“What makes a river so restful to people is that it doesn’t have any doubt - it is sure to get where it is going, and it doesn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Environmental issues emerging from increase in populationDevansh Tiwari
More people require more resources, which means that as the population increases, the Earth’s resources deplete more rapidly. The result of this depletion is deforestation and loss of biodiversity as humans strip the Earth of resources to accommodate rising population numbers
How many people can comfortably fit into your car? What happens when you double that number? Can your car safely and comfortably carry you all? What about the planet? Everyone has to have someplace to live, they must eat, they must use the bathroom, take baths, cook, clean and do all the things we humans do. But what happens when there are too many people crowded into an area? Can the earth carry that load, so to speak? Should there be fewer people, or should people simply learn new and more efficient ways to use the resources we have available?
Descrizione delle attività per il primo incontro in presenza - Formazione in rete Istituti "Solari" (Tolmezzo), "Linussio" (Tolmezzo) e "Bachmann" (Tarvisio)
Ecosystems are the "natural capital" of our economy and our world, providing valuable goods and services, but as consumption grows along with populations and their spending power, many ecosystems are struggling to keep pace.
Exploring What a Drought Is Essay
Essay on Drought as a Natural Disaster
California Drought Essay
Persuasive Essay On Drought
Essay Effects on Drought
Droughts in Chad Essay
Central Valley Drought
Essay On California Drought
Overview of the groundwater issues of Brant County including concerns for development and gravel pits over recharge and potential impacts of a proposed Lake Erie pipeline.
Similar to Gerenciando a água sob Incerteza e Riscos (20)
MODERNIZAÇÃO TRABALHISTA: LEI Nº 13.467, DE 13 DE JULHO DE 2017 - PANORAMA AN...Robson Peixoto
MODERNIZAÇÃO TRABALHISTA: LEI Nº 13.467, DE 13 DE JULHO DE 2017 - PANORAMA ANTERIOR E POSTERIOR À APROVAÇÃO -
Elaborado pela Confederação Nacional da Indústria - CNI, o documento consiste na apresentação das alterações promovidas pela lei Nº 13.467, DE 13 DE JULHO DE 2017, que entrará em vigor em 120 dias a partir da publicação.
Ponto a ponto, os temas estão dispostos na ordem estabelecida no ato normativo, com o cenário que se tinha antes da sua publicação e o que prevê o seu texto.
Programa de Proteção Respiratória
Atualização do PPR:
O que mudou?
O programa está mais informativo, tanto o texto principal quanto seus anexos foram enriquecidos com o objetivo de facilitar sua leitura e compreensão, considerações mais detalhadas à determinação do equipamento respiratório, como a atividade, usuário e o ambiente de trabalho foram incluídas. Estas alterações foram baseadas principalmente na ISO 16975.1 - Respiratory Protective Devices - Selection, Use and Maintenance.
Prevenção de acidentes a bordo de navios no mar e nos portos: código de práti...Robson Peixoto
Prevenção de Acidentes a Bordo de Navios no Mar e nos Portos: Código de Práticas da OIT
Este código de práticas, compilado e escrito por um grupo internacional de especialistas, é dirigido à segurança e à saúde a bordo dos navios. Objetiva fornecer orientações das melhores práticas para auxiliar armadores, marítimos e governantes a melhorar as condições de trabalho e reduzirem o número de acidentes a bordo. Cobre os riscos especiais presentes no transporte de cargas a granel e os perigos relacionados com as operações nas embarcações ro-ro, ferries e novaios porta-contêineres. Trata também dos problemas de ancoragem, amarração, acessos aos navios, entre outros assuntos pertinentes à navegação.
POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS: IMPLEMENTAÇÃO E MONITORAMENTO DE RESÍD...Robson Peixoto
POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS:
IMPLEMENTAÇÃO E MONITORAMENTO DE RESÍDUOS URBANOS
Esta publicação é uma iniciativa conjunta do Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE) da Universidade de São Paulo e do Observatório da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos (OPNRS) no âmbito do Acordo de Cooperação Técnica e Acadêmica frmado, em 31 de janeiro de 2017, por
meio da Divisão de Ciência, Gestão e Tecnologia Ambiental (DCGCTA) e do Instituto BVRio, representando o OPNRS.
Catálogo de Normas Técnicas. A publicação, gratuita, reúne todas as normativas que impactam a vida útil das edificações.
o guia passou a listar normas técnicas sobre gestão ambiental e gerenciamento de resíduos, além de conter links diretos para as páginas das NBRs no site da ABNT.
Fatores eficazes para investigação de acidentesRobson Peixoto
Fatores eficazes para investigação de acidentes
BENEFÍCIO DE UMA BOA ANÁLISE DE ACIDENTE DO TRABALHO
Identificar o que está errado e adotar medidas de controle.
Revelar as maneiras nas quais as pessoas estão expostas a riscos que podem afetar sua
segurança e saúde.
Compreender o que ocorreu, como o trabalho foi realmente executado e por que as
coisas deram errado.
Identificar as deficiências no controle de riscos no trabalho de forma que possibilite
alterações e melhorias da Gestão de Segurança do Trabalho.
APOSTILA DA PERÍCIA TRABALHISTA
1 – O que é Justiça do Trabalho?;
2 – Dos órgãos da Justiça do Trabalho;
3 – Processo trabalhista e suas fases;
4 – Execução e liquidação;
5 – Prescrição, atualização e juros de mora;
6 – Salário, remuneração e formas de cálculo;
7–Descanso semanal remunerado, percentagem, verbas rescisórias, aviso prévio, 13o salário, férias, adicionais, FGTS e conversão em horas;
8 – Cálculos adicionais;
9 – INSS, Imposto de Renda e modelo de cálculo e laudo.
Insalubridade e periculosidade no brasil em sentido oposto a tendência intern...Robson Peixoto
Adicionais de Insalubridade e Periculosidade
Os adicionais de insalubridade e periculosidade são devidos àqueles que exercem atividades que trazem dano a sua saúde ou atividades de risco. A evolução da gestão em segurança e saúde no trabalho indica a necessidade de superação do modelo de pagamento de adicionais, ressaltando a importância de, antes, estimular a prevenção, redução e eliminação dos riscos inerentes ao trabalho.
Segurança e saúde na industria da construçãoRobson Peixoto
Segurança e Saúde na Indústria da Construção no Brasil - Diagnóstico e Recomendações para a Prevenção dos Acidente de Trabalho
Esta publicação é uma síntese do contexto da Saúde e Segurança no Trabalho (SST) na Indústria da Construção no Brasil e das perspectivas de prevenção e revela que a implementação de programas efetivos, sua avaliação e análise de expansão poderão ser alcançados a médio e longo prazo no país.
Melhores práticas para seleção de proteção auditiva Robson Peixoto
Melhores práticas para seleção de proteção auditiva
Níveis de ruído extremos - e o potencial para perda auditiva causada pelo ruído - são encontrados pelos trabalhadores em todo o setor, apesar da atenção e do investimento contínuos em programas e soluções de engenharia de conservação da audição.
Manual de marketing y comunicación en seguridad y salud laboralRobson Peixoto
Manual de marketing y comunicación en seguridad y salud laboral
Publicación on-line de marketing y comunicación preventiva en la empresa, que a partir de una introducción de los conceptos básicos de la materia y de la descripción de buenas prácticas, facilita conocimientos en comunicación estratégica.
Los contenidos de la parte general de la guía difunden el concepto de marketing aplicado a la prevención de riesgos laborales y describen los aspectos que se deben considerar en el proceso de creación de campañas de comunicación estratégica y marketing en materia de seguridad y salud laboral.
En cada uno de los capítulos de la guía, se han integrado descripciones de buenas prácticas a nivel internacional y/o nacional, elaboradas a partir de visitas a las empresas, que sirven como ejemplo motivador para que otras empresas implementen campañas de marketing y comunicación aplicadas a la prevención de riesgos laborales.
Report Back from SGO 2024: What’s the Latest in Cervical Cancer?bkling
Are you curious about what’s new in cervical cancer research or unsure what the findings mean? Join Dr. Emily Ko, a gynecologic oncologist at Penn Medicine, to learn about the latest updates from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2024 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer. Dr. Ko will discuss what the research presented at the conference means for you and answer your questions about the new developments.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE.pdfAnujkumaranit
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. It encompasses tasks such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI technologies are revolutionizing various fields, from healthcare to finance, by enabling machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Pulmonary Thromboembolism - etilogy, types, medical- Surgical and nursing man...VarunMahajani
Disruption of blood supply to lung alveoli due to blockage of one or more pulmonary blood vessels is called as Pulmonary thromboembolism. In this presentation we will discuss its causes, types and its management in depth.
micro teaching on communication m.sc nursing.pdfAnurag Sharma
Microteaching is a unique model of practice teaching. It is a viable instrument for the. desired change in the teaching behavior or the behavior potential which, in specified types of real. classroom situations, tends to facilitate the achievement of specified types of objectives.
Anti ulcer drugs and their Advance pharmacology ||
Anti-ulcer drugs are medications used to prevent and treat ulcers in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers). These ulcers are often caused by an imbalance between stomach acid and the mucosal lining, which protects the stomach lining.
||Scope: Overview of various classes of anti-ulcer drugs, their mechanisms of action, indications, side effects, and clinical considerations.
HOT NEW PRODUCT! BIG SALES FAST SHIPPING NOW FROM CHINA!! EU KU DB BK substit...GL Anaacs
Contact us if you are interested:
Email / Skype : kefaya1771@gmail.com
Threema: PXHY5PDH
New BATCH Ku !!! MUCH IN DEMAND FAST SALE EVERY BATCH HAPPY GOOD EFFECT BIG BATCH !
Contact me on Threema or skype to start big business!!
Hot-sale products:
NEW HOT EUTYLONE WHITE CRYSTAL!!
5cl-adba precursor (semi finished )
5cl-adba raw materials
ADBB precursor (semi finished )
ADBB raw materials
APVP powder
5fadb/4f-adb
Jwh018 / Jwh210
Eutylone crystal
Protonitazene (hydrochloride) CAS: 119276-01-6
Flubrotizolam CAS: 57801-95-3
Metonitazene CAS: 14680-51-4
Payment terms: Western Union,MoneyGram,Bitcoin or USDT.
Deliver Time: Usually 7-15days
Shipping method: FedEx, TNT, DHL,UPS etc.Our deliveries are 100% safe, fast, reliable and discreet.
Samples will be sent for your evaluation!If you are interested in, please contact me, let's talk details.
We specializes in exporting high quality Research chemical, medical intermediate, Pharmaceutical chemicals and so on. Products are exported to USA, Canada, France, Korea, Japan,Russia, Southeast Asia and other countries.
Prix Galien International 2024 Forum ProgramLevi Shapiro
June 20, 2024, Prix Galien International and Jerusalem Ethics Forum in ROME. Detailed agenda including panels:
- ADVANCES IN CARDIOLOGY: A NEW PARADIGM IS COMING
- WOMEN’S HEALTH: FERTILITY PRESERVATION
- WHAT’S NEW IN THE TREATMENT OF INFECTIOUS,
ONCOLOGICAL AND INFLAMMATORY SKIN DISEASES?
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ETHICS
- GENE THERAPY
- BEYOND BORDERS: GLOBAL INITIATIVES FOR DEMOCRATIZING LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROMOTING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
- ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN LIFE SCIENCES
- Prix Galien International Awards Ceremony
Flu Vaccine Alert in Bangalore Karnatakaaddon Scans
As flu season approaches, health officials in Bangalore, Karnataka, are urging residents to get their flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu, while common, can lead to severe health complications, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions.
Dr. Vidisha Kumari, a leading epidemiologist in Bangalore, emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated. "The flu vaccine is our best defense against the influenza virus. It not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of the virus in our communities," he says.
This year, the flu season is expected to coincide with a potential increase in other respiratory illnesses. The Karnataka Health Department has launched an awareness campaign highlighting the significance of flu vaccinations. They have set up multiple vaccination centers across Bangalore, making it convenient for residents to receive their shots.
To encourage widespread vaccination, the government is also collaborating with local schools, workplaces, and community centers to facilitate vaccination drives. Special attention is being given to ensuring that the vaccine is accessible to all, including marginalized communities who may have limited access to healthcare.
Residents are reminded that the flu vaccine is safe and effective. Common side effects are mild and may include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or muscle aches. These side effects are generally short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Healthcare providers are also stressing the importance of continuing COVID-19 precautions. Wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, and maintaining social distancing are still crucial, especially in crowded places.
Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting vaccinated. Together, we can help keep Bangalore healthy and safe this flu season. For more information on vaccination centers and schedules, residents can visit the Karnataka Health Department’s official website or follow their social media pages.
Stay informed, stay safe, and get your flu shot today!
The POPPY STUDY (Preconception to post-partum cardiovascular function in prim...
Gerenciando a água sob Incerteza e Riscos
1. Planning for an uncertain future, p 2
Natural Sciences
A World of
Quarterly Newsletter
Vol. 10, No. 2
April–June 2012
IN THIS ISSUE EDITORIAL
IN FOCUS
2 Planning for an uncertain future Water too has a tipping point
NEWS In 2009, Rockström et al. proposed the concept of ‘planetary boundaries’, beyond which
lay the point of no return, or tipping point. They estimate that humanity has already
transgressed three out of nine boundaries, those for climate change (greenhouse gas levels), the
10 Venice will succumb to sea-level rate of biodiversity loss and the global nitrogen cycle. Humanity may even have transgressed a
rise, the question is when fourth boundary, they suspect, the limit for freshwater use, or may be close to doing so. Current
11 Mexican wins Kalinga Prize consumption is estimated at 2 600 km3 per year – and rising.
12 Laureates find new ways of looking This study is cited in the Fourth World Water Development Report, Managing Water under
at old problems Uncertainty and Risk, launched by UNESCO on 12 March on behalf of the 28 agencies
comprising UN-Water. Rockström et al. suggest that the social cost of transgressing the
13 ICTP takes seismology course to
planetary boundaries will depend upon how resilient and green our societies are. Going green
epicentre of Haitian tragedy will not alone ensure more water-friendly policies, however, as exemplified by the controversies
13 A graduate diploma in nanoscience over biofuels and large-scale foreign acquisitions of arable land. Above all, the report observes,
for Arab universities we need to acknowledge the cross-cutting nature of water across the entire development spec-
14 Mission accomplished for Lady trum. Food and energy production, industry, human and environmental health are all dependent
on water, all essential for socio-economic development and all increasingly interdependent.
Amber
Forgetting that water flows over sectoral boundaries can be a costly mistake. The
Mississippi Delta in the USA has been radically modified to supply agriculture and hydro-
INTERVIEW power. By reducing risks to agriculture upstream, the scheme has amplified risks down-
stream, exacerbating the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans in 2005. Where is the
15 Madiodio Niasse on the risks link? The dam constructed on the river interrupts sediment transfer. Without the constant
associated with large-scale foreign deposition of sediment, tidal and wave action is gradually eroding the delta on which New
land acquisitions Orleans is built, causing the city to sink and thus to flood more easily. The pumping of
groundwater, oil and natural gas in the delta has caused further subsidence.
This example illustrates a wider problem. The lack of interaction between sectors, as well
as between users, decision-makers and managers, has allowed water resources to become
HORIZONS
seriously degraded around the world, threatening all the sectors that depend on water and
17 Sandwatchers find a market thus compromising development. With climate change likely to make water resources less
abundant in future, even as demand for water grows, humanity finds itself on an unsustain-
for a weed
able development path.
20 Striving for a better tomorrow At a time when humanity is facing an uncertain and perilous future, Managing Water under
in Mujib Uncertainty and Risk drives home the point that a ‘business-as-usual’ approach to water
management is not an option. We must adapt our development planning and management to
reflect the bigger picture. And we don’t have much time. Herein lies the key message of the
report, extracts from which you will find overleaf. The Earth Summit in Rio in June should
IN BRIEF
offer an ideal occasion to drive this message home.
24 Agenda
Gretchen Kalonji
24 New Releases Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences
7. Top 10 groundwater-abstracting countries, 2010
Groundwater depletion is so intensive in some A villager in Shanxi, an area in China
arid and semi-arid zones that the aquifer is unable to
14 suffering from water shortages,
recovers water from a well.
replenish the water. Examples are the Highland Plains
14
and Central Valley aquifers in the USA, the north-west
23
India plains aquifers, the North China Plain aquifer and
the Australian Great Artesian Basin. Meanwhile, the
11. IN FOCUS NEWS
The way forward
Venice will succumb to sea-
Water and land have become vitally strategic resources,
more interlinked than ever before. Confronted with level rise, the question is when
competing demands, policy-makers are faced with a
dilemma: how can they ensure food security without The newly published report of a workshop run by UNESCO’s
penalizing energy security, or satisfy both industrial and Venice Office on 22–23 November 2010 has concluded that
agricultural demands for water? ‘the planned mobile barriers (MOSE) might be able to avoid
The key to rational management will be to consider flooding [of the World Heritage site of Venice and its Lagoon]
different uses of water alongside each other, including for the next few decades but the sea will eventually rise to
domestic use, land management, agriculture, mining and a level where even continuous closures will not be able to
energy production. The best way to do this is to create a protect the city from flooding. The question is not if this will
structure within which competing interest groups – such as happen, but only when it will happen.’
water utilities, farmers, industry and mining, communities
and environmentalists – can hammer out coherent strate- In order to avoid flooding, the Italian authorities have author-
gies for meeting future challenges and uncertainties. To be ized the construction of an underwater barrier system, referred
fully inclusive, a broad group of stakeholders should also be to as the MOSE Project, which should be operational by 2014.
involved in the rule-setting process for the management of During the project planning phase, three scenarios for sea-level
both domestic and transboundary water resources. Combine rise by 2100 were considered: 16.4 cm, 22.0 cm – the scenario
these twin elements and you have what is called integrated recommended for the MOSE project – and a pessimistic scenario
water resource management. of 31.4 cm. Today, even the pessimistic scenario is considered
Water management has always been underpinned by overoptimistic.
uncertainty but global trends in demography, consumption The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007)
patterns, industrial development, migration and climate forecast global sea-level rise of 18–59 cm to 2100 but excluded
change are driving the level of uncertainty to unprecedented ice melt from its calculations, as this parameter could not be
levels, exacerbating risk. Integrated water resource manage- modelled. Observed global sea-level rise actually exceeded the
ment offers stakeholders the flexibility they need to be able model projections for the period 1961–2003 by 50% and for
to adapt strategies for water management when the future 1990–2008 by 80%.
doesn’t go according to plan. Other uncertainties stem from the insufficiently understood
This will be the challenge for water authorities: to move dynamics of heat uptake by the oceans, which causes oceans
from planning for one defined future to the use of plans to swell and thus sea level to rise, as well as from the variety of
that are responsive to a range of possible future scenarios, possible scenarios for future carbon emissions and the conse-
all uncertain but presenting varying degrees of probability. quential heating of the atmosphere.
In this new paradigm, technical specialists will need to Some recently published papers give higher estimates of global
interact with government decision-makers and society more sea-level rise: Vermeer and Rahmstorf (2009) give a range of
broadly, on the basis of reliable, objective information and 75–190 cm, Horton et al. (2008) a potential lower limit of 54–
data about the state of water resources and how they are 89 cm and Jevrejeva et al. (2010) a range of 60–160 cm. Looking
used and managed. farther ahead, the Delta Committee (2008) gives a range of
As part of preparations for the Rio+20 conference this June, 1.5–3.5 m for the year 2200, while the German Advisory Council
the UN Commission on Sustainable Development invited on Global Change (2006) estimates sea-level rise of 2.5–5.1 m
UN-Water to conduct a global survey last year to determine by 2300. ‘This means that sea-level rise will be governed in the
the extent of progress towards sustainable management of coming centuries by a delayed response to 21st century anthropo-
water resources using integrated approaches. Preliminary genic (human-induced) warming.’
findings from over 125 countries show that 64% of respon- As for sea level in the Mediterranean, it has shown strong vari-
dants have developed plans for the implementation of ability over the past century, rising by approximately 1.2 mm/
integrated water resource management, as recommended year, which is ‘significantly lower than the global average.’ Based
in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (2002), and on measurements from tide gauges, it even dropped a few centi-
that 34% are at an advanced stage of implementation. metres between 1960 and 1993 before rising 4–5 cm between
The only cloud on the horizon is that progress appears to 1993 and 2000, after which there was no change.
have slowed in countries with a low and medium Human One factor affecting regional sea level is atmospheric pres-
Development Index since an earlier survey in 2008. sure: a drop in pressure of 1 millibar (mbar) is equal to about a
1 cm rise in sea level. A rise in atmospheric pressure linked to
This article has been compiled by the editor from Managing the North Atlantic Oscillation was responsible for the drop in
Water under Uncertainty and Risk, the Fourth World Water sea level in the Mediterranean between 1960 and 1993. Climate
Development Report, with grateful thanks to the report team. models indicate that atmospheric pressure could rise in future in
the Mediterranean, causing a drop of 2 cm by 2100, or -0.2 mm/
To read or purchase the full report, see page 24 year on average.
10 A World of SCIENCE, Vol. 10, No. 2, April–June 2012
12. Visitors to Venice in September 2009
watch a young boy taking a dip in
flooded St Mark’s Square.
The workshop was organized by UNESCO
in partnership with Georg Umgiesser from
the Italian Institute of Marine Sciences of the
National Research Council, lead author on the
report. UNESCO has since organized three
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
other workshops to evaluate environmental,
cultural and socio-economic challenges faced
by Venice and its Lagoon in relation to global
change.
To read the report, see page 24
Another factor controlling sea-level change is the steric effect,
by which higher temperatures raise sea level, whereas higher
salinity lowers it. Scientists conclude from this that, although
there has been a rise in both temperature and salinity, the latter Mexican wins Kalinga Prize
could dominate in the Mediterranean.
As the Mediterranean Sea is linked to the Atlantic Ocean On 4 January, Mexican scientist René Raúl Drucker
through the Strait of Gibraltar, one crucial uncertainty concerns Colín was awarded the 2011 UNESCO Kalinga Prize
how exchanges through the strait will influence sea level in for the Popularization of Science, at a ceremony in
the Mediterranean. The latest findings indicate that the differ- Bhubaneswar (India).
ence between both basins should not be greater than 10 cm,
with an adjustment process that should not take longer than a A specialist in physiology and
few months. ‘Sea-level rise in the Mediterranean will thus be neurobiology, René Raúl Drucker
dominated by the global trend, even if some local differences Colín holds a degree in psychology
might continue to exist,’ states the report. ‘The fact that the from the National Autonomous
steric change in the level of the Mediterranean Sea could be University of Mexico and a doctorate
much less (or even negative) simply indicates that the contribu- in medicine from the University
tion of the Mediterranean to global sea-level rise will be much of Saskatchewan (Canada). He is
smaller than that of the other oceans. However, in the long run, renowned for his work in identifying
the Mediterranean will follow the global ocean.’ the role played by neurotransmitters
As the exchanges between the Adriatic and Mediterranean during sleep.
Seas are not restricted by a narrow strait, it is ‘conceivable that Prof. Drucker Colín is also an ardent promoter of science. His
the Adriatic Sea should follow very closely the trends in the work is published regularly in La Jornada, a leading Mexican
Mediterranean.’ daily, and he has participated over the past 12 years in the
Mean sea level is basically identical between the Adriatic science programmes of Televisa, a national broadcaster.
Sea and the Venice lagoon, despite the strong hydraulic control Prof. Drucker Colín was selected by UNESCO Director-
exerted by the inlets. The city begins to flood when the water General Irina Bokova on the recommendation of an inter-
level reaches 110 cm. Over the past century, the lagoon has been national jury.
gradually sinking, owing to natural subsidence and sea-level rise, The prize consists of US$20,000, together with a silver
combined with industrial extraction of groundwater. In the 1980s UNESCO Albert Einstein medal and certificate. It also includes
and 1990s, the average water level was about 23 cm above the the Kalinga Chair established by the Indian Department of
zero datum. This level is now closer to 30 cm above the datum. Science and Technology, comprising a two-week visit to India by
This means that sea-level rise of 80 cm would bring the mean the laureate to meet with scientists and science communicators.
water level to the critical threshold of 110 cm. In this case, Venice The UNESCO Kalinga Prize was created by UNESCO in
would experience regular flooding twice a day at high tide. 1951 and is awarded every two years. Financed jointly by the
Over the past three years, mean sea level in the lagoon has Kalinga Foundation in India, the Government of the State of
risen by about 10 cm during the summer months and by as much Orissa and the Government of India, the prize rewards the efforts
as 20 cm during the winter months. This rise correlates with a of writers, editors, lecturers, radio/television programme direc-
drop in atmospheric pressure from 2020 mbar to 2013 mbar in tors or film producers who have made a significant contribution
the past three years. It is doubtful that these trends will continue to presenting science and technology to the general public.
but mean sea level in the Adriatic Sea and close to the Venice
lagoon will likely be extremely variable. For details: (Delhi) a.fahmi@unesco.org; (Paris) y.nur@unesco.org
A World of SCIENCE, Vol. 10, No. 2, April–June 2012 11
13. NEWS
epilepsy, a brain disorder characterized by seizures
Laureates find new ways and other symptoms that can be extremely disruptive
Prof. Jill Farrant to the lives of the 50 million sufferers. She has also
of looking at old problems (South Africa)
described several new forms of epilepsy. She and
her colleagues were the first to show that sodium
In a ceremony at UNESCO headquarters in Paris channel genes caused febrile seizures, for instance,
on 29 March, five laureates will receive the L’Oréal- leading to a Belgian discovery that mutations to
UNESCO Award for Women in Science, which these genes caused Dravet Syndrome, a severe form
comes with prize-money of US$100,000. They will of epilepsy. Her findings have already improved
be joined by this year’s 16 fellows in life sciences Prof. Ingrid Scheffer diagnosis and treatment for many patients and may
(see map). The focus of the laureates' research is on (Australia) lead to new therapies.
medicine and on ‘resurrection plants.’ As Günter Prof. Frances Ashcroft is the laureate for Europe.
Blobel, President of the jury and Nobel laureate A Fellow of Trinity College at the University
in Medicine (1999), put it, ‘they have all uncovered of Oxford (UK), she has been recompensed for
new ways of looking at old problems.’ advancing our understanding of insulin secretion
and neonatal diabetes. In 1984, she discovered a
Prof. Jill Farrant is the laureate for Africa and protein that acted as the link between blood−glucose
Prof. Frances Ashcroft
the Arab States. She holds the Research Chair in (United Kingdom) levels and insulin secretion. As a result, people with
Plant Molecular Physiology at the University of a rare inherited form of diabetes can now simply take
Cape Town (South Africa) and has been recom- an existing drug in pill form, rather than enduring
pensed for discovering how plants survive under daily insulin injections. The drug has improved their
dry conditions. Prof. Farrant is the world’s leading blood glucose control and thereby reduced the risk
expert on resurrection plants, which ‘come back to of diabetic complications such as blindness and
life’ from a desiccated, seemingly dead state when Prof. Susana López
kidney disease; she is now studying why 25% of
given water. Her team’s ultimate goal is to develop (Mexico) these patients also have neurological problems. Prof.
drought-tolerant crops to nourish populations in Ashcroft is also exploring what goes wrong with
arid, drought-prone climates, notably in Africa. Her insulin secretion in adult-onset (type 2) diabetes,
research may also have medicinal applications. which affects 336 million people worldwide.
Prof. Ingrid Scheffer is the laureate for Asia− Prof. Susana López is the laureate for Latin
Pacific. A paediatric neurologist at the University of America. Based at the National University of
Melbourne (Australia), she has been recompensed Prof. Bonnie Bassler
Mexico, she has been recompensed for her studies
for identifying genes involved in certain forms of (USA) on rotaviruses, which cause gastroentiritis and
The 15 International Fellows
Elza van Deel and Special Fellow
(Netherlands)
Vita Majce
(Slovenia)
Mounira
Hmani-
Aifa
(Tunisia)
Special Naama Geva-
Fellow Zatorsky
(Israel)
Emna Harigua
(Tunisia) Dana Bazzoun
(Lebanon)
Dora Medina Patricia Miang
Aziza Kamel Lon Ng
(Mexico) (Singapore)
Peggoty Mutai (Egypt)
(Kenya)
Giomar Helena
Borrero Pérez Gladys Kahaka
(Colombia) (Namibia)
Kathrin Barboza Sidrotun Naim
Marquez (Indonesia)
(Bolivia)
Johannie Spaan Zoë Hilton
Photos for the L'Oréal Foundation (Laureates) Julian Dufort; (South Africa) (New Zealand)
(fellows) Melanie Frey/CAPA Pictures
12 A World of SCIENCE, Vol. 10, No. 2, April–June 2012
14. affect nearly every child on Earth under the age of five.
Every year, 600 000 children in developing countries die
from the resulting diarrhoea. The rotavirus was discovered
in 1973 but there is still no antiviral drug to control the
infection, antivirals being available so far only to prevent
the replication of such viruses as HIV herpes and influenza
,
A and B. With her colleagues, Prof. López has developed
new diagnostic tests, isolated several new rotavirus strains
Photo K.Aoudia/ICTP
and contributed to efforts to find a vaccine.
Prof. Bonnie Bassler is the laureate for North America.
A Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Squibb
Professor at Princeton University (USA), she has been
recompensed for showing that bacteria ‘talk’ to one another
using chemicals as their words. About 1 250 g of bacteria live Makeshift classrooms at the Université d'État du Haiti
in the gut and on the skin of every human body. Although
bacteria live as single cells, Prof. Bassler was convinced that
bacteria were ineffective on their own and had to work as ‘science can play an important part in Haiti’s long-term
co-ordinated ‘armies’ to keep us healthy (such as by digesting sustainable development.’
food) or make us sick (by causing disease). To act in unison, ‘The situation for science in Haiti is bad,’ says Aoudia, a seismo-
groups of bacteria had to communicate with one other. Her logist with the ICTP’s Earth System Physics group. ‘There is no
startling discoveries may someday lead to new antibiotics that money to support it, no local expertise and few incentives to keep
interfere with bacterial conversations as well as many other professors in the country. What few professors they do have will
applications, such as infection-resistant surgical implants. be retiring in the next few years, presenting an urgent need to train
For details: www.forwomeninscience.com; s.bahri@unesco.org their replacements.’ Perhaps most surprisingly – for a country
straddling the intersection of the North American and Caribbean
tectonic plates –, there are no seismologists in Haiti.
Aoudia hopes to change that. ‘The long-term issue will be to
ICTP takes seismology course build basic science capacity,’ he says, noting that currently there
is no possibility to earn a science degree in Haiti. Two years
to epicentre of Haitian tragedy after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of a stag-
gering 316 000 people and left almost another million homeless,
From 15 to 28 January, the Science Faculty of the Université efforts are still focusing on rebuilding education infrastructure.
d’État du Haiti (UEH) in Port-au-Prince played host to a seis- At UEH, classes meet in hangar-type structures open to the
mology school run by Karim Aoudia from UNESCO’s Abdus elements (see photo). There are no walls between classrooms
Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). and a bustling market in front of the campus adds to the back-
ground noise competing for the students’ attention.
The intensive two-week course covered the full spectrum of
earthquake sciences, from physics to risk reduction, with the For details: aoudia@ictp.it
support of the university’s rector, Jean Vernet Henry.
Aoudia was able to secure 20 computers with a steady power
supply for the workshop, with the help of UEH staff. Originating A graduate diploma in nano-
mostly from UEH’s engineering programme, participants learned
earthquake theory and how to read and analyse datasets on the science for Arab universities
minor earthquakes that shook Haiti during the workshop. They
also learned how to save lives in the event of an earthquake. When the new academic year gets under way in October,
‘The students told me that one of the first things they would do four universities in Egypt and Sudan will be offering a
after the workshop would be to visit all of the schools in Port- new graduate diploma in nanoscience. The curriculum has
au-Prince to instruct young Haitians on what to do if there is an been developed by UNESCO’s Network for the Expansion
earthquake,’ Aoudia explains. of Converging Technologies in the Arab Region (NECTAR)
In addition to sponsoring the Port-au-Prince workshop, ICTP and will first be proposed by the Egyptian–Japanese
has donated 150 science books to UEH’s new library and is University for Science and Technology, Helwan University
actively recruiting Haitian students for its Postgraduate Diploma (Egypt), Khartoum University and the Future University
Programme. (Sudan), before being replicated in other Arab countries.
But much more is needed. Although the 2010 earthquake
may have focused the world’s attention and much-needed UNESCO’s Regional Bureau for Science in the Arab States
funding on the Caribbean island, ‘momentum from that has been collaborating with renowned scientists for the
wave of goodwill is slowing,’ worries Aoudia. Even though past year to develop the curricula for the graduate diploma.
A World of SCIENCE, Vol. 10, No. 2, April–June 2012 13