The crisis is indeed real, and has started. We have to alter public attitudes to water, and make sure that its fundamental role as the resource at the heart of global life is recognized. Water can be a foundation for peace rather than a cause of conflict if it is cherished as an essential part of our life support system and managed for the common good. We have to persuade people that ecosystem health is the key to environmental and social health. But the key lies in linking Vision to Action.
Water is an intensely political subject.
Water action must involve all stakeholders, linking governments, NGOs, engineers, ecologists and local communities. We need joined-up thinking, and this means better communication. We need to get away from sectoral rivalry and recognize that we must have joined-up management. The goal is a water agenda that is nature-based, managerially practical and socially compassionate. All rights reserved.