Categories

Rivers (13) Arsenic Poisoning (4) Dams (33)

World Water Forums (6) Water and Sanitation@ (49)

Links

Pages: [<<] 1 2 3 4 5 [>>]

World Creating Food Bubble Economy Based on Unsustainable Use of Water

March 13, 2003-2, Lester R. Brown, Earth Policy Institute. As world water demand has tripled over the last half-century, it has exceeded the sustainable yield of aquifers in scores of countries, leading to falling water tables. In effect, governments are satisfying the growing demand for food by overpumping groundwater, a measure that virtually assures a drop in food production when the aquifer is depleted. Knowingly or not, governments are creating a "food bubble" economy.

http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/Update22.htm

(Added: Mon Apr 14 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 149)

The UN World Water Development Report: Water for People, Water for Life

The World Water Development Report (WWDR) is a periodic, comprehensive review giving an authoritative picture of the state of the world's freshwater resources, and aiming to provide decision-makers with the tools for sustainable use of our water. Coordinated by the World Water Assessment Programme, the Report is the result of the collaboration of twenty-three UN agencies and convention secretariats and lays the foundations for regular, system-wide monitoring and reporting by the UN, together with development of standardized methodologies and data. The first edition of this report, Water for People, Water for Life, was launched in 2003 on World Water Day (March 22nd) at the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan.

http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/index.shtml

(Added: Fri Apr 04 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 111)

UN report warns that poor water supply continues to pose major health threat

More than two million people-many of them children-die every year from diarrhoea and a range of other conditions associated with poor water and sanitation, a report from the United Nations has said. The first UN world water development report, to be launched on 22 March, argues that one of the biggest threats to health remains lack of water and poor sanitation. It estimates that 1.1 billion people have seen no improvement in their water supplies beyond a basic minimum and that 2.4 billion do not have adequate sanitation. As a result, a million people die of malaria each year, and another two billion people are infected with schistosomes and other helminths, 300 million of them becoming seriously ill. The report is part of an ongoing assessment project to measure progress towards the goal of sustainable development formulated at the 1992 Earth Summit in 1992 and the targets set down in the UN Millennium Declaration of 2000. These pledged to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who can't reach or afford safe drinking water and to stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources by developing water management strategies at regional, national, and local levels that promote equitable access and adequate supplies.

http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/326/7389/568/b?etoc?eaf

(Added: Fri Apr 04 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 143)

Composting toilets key to global sanitation, say scientists

Composting toilets key to global sanitation, say scientists. Giving large sewer systems to communities in the developing world could be disastrous for them and their environments, sanitation scientists are telling the World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan. Their advice flies in the face of United Nations targets to hook up more than a billion people to sewers in the next decade. "Conventional sewer systems are just not the right answer," said Bengt Johansson, of the Swedish International Development Agency. "They are very expensive; they pollute rivers; they use a lot of water for flushing that could be set aside for drinking; and they deprive farm soils of the nutrients in sewage." By NewScientist.com, 18 March 03.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993512

(Added: Thu Apr 03 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 224)

Against privatization of the Hamburg Water Supply

A German language website. We are taking action using a plebiscite based on the Hamburg Constitution. As the privatization of Water is a part of the GATS we are focused on that too - as a partner of local and nationwide attac-groups

http://www.unser-wasser-hamburg.de

(Added: Tue Apr 01 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 181)

International Rivers Network

IRN was established in 1985 as a nonprofit all-volunteer organization of activists experienced in fighting economically, environmentally, and socially unsound river intervention projects. Aware that similar projects and struggles were happening in other countries, IRN opened a communication channel with local river activists worldwide. In 1989, IRN began to develop a staff of experienced activists trained in economics, biology, engineering, hydrology, anthropology, and environmental sciences. IRN supports local communities working to protect their rivers and watersheds. We work to halt destructive river development projects, and to encourage equitable and sustainable methods of meeting needs for water, energy and flood management.

http://www.irn.org/

(Added: Tue Apr 01 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 149)

World Water Council

The World Water Council is the International Water Policy Think Tank dedicated to strengthening the world water movement for an improved management of the world's water resources. The World Water Council was established in Marseille, France, in 1996 as a non-profit non-governmental umbrella organization. Members include : - Private & Public Firms - Government & State Agencies - Regional & Water Authorities - Foundations - UN agencies - Academic & Research Institutes - Professional Associations - Media, Banks & Financial Institutions - NGO's

http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/

(Added: Tue Apr 01 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 281)

InterWATER

InterWATER offers information about more than 600 organisations and networks in the water supply and sanitation sector, related to developing countries. You can search the list of organisations using the search box in the top right hand corner of each page, or by selecting a region or country on this page. There is also a list of key international organisations and UN organisations. Each organisation has a short description, contact details, e-mail and website addresses, and related sites where applicable.

http://www.irc.nl/page/126

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Thu Oct 05 2006   Hits: 186)

Pan American Information Network on Environmental Health (Repidisca)

Repidisca operates in the Latin American and Caribbean region, disseminates information on environmental health, environmental epidemiology, sanitary and environmental engineering, water supply, waste water, solid waste, hazardous waste and occupational health. It maintains the following databases: (a) Bibliographical database: union database from cooperating countries. Some 85,000 records. (b) institutional directory on environmental health (c) union serial catalogue (d) thesaurus: environmental health terms in Spanish, Portuguese, German, French. (e) International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC): from UNEP (f) REPDISCA information bank: containing technical dissemination sheets, news, publications catalogue and other CEPIS/REPDISCA brochures.

http://www.cepis.ops-oms.org/

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 104)

The Water Page: Incorporating The African Water Page

Founder : Len Abrams, Water Policy International. An independent initiative dedicated to the promotion of sustainable water resources management and use. A particular emphasis is placed on the development, utilisation and protection of water in Africa and other developing regions.

http://www.africanwater.org/

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 120)

UNDP - World Bank Water and Sanitation Program (WSP)

The WSP is an international partnership of the world's leading development agencies concerned with water and sanitation services for the poor. Its mission is to alleviate poverty by helping the poor gain sustained access to improved water and sanitation services. It is managed through a head office in Washington, D.C. and four regional offices in South Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and the Andean Region. The WSP is administered by the World Bank, and reports to the Water and Sanitation Division within the Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure Vice Presidency.

http://www.wsp.org/

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 148)

Water and the Least Developed Countries (PDF)

Report Prepared for the United Nations Office Of The High Representative for the LDCS, LLDCS AND SIDS. By Saleemul Huq, Hannah Reid And Laurel Murray, International Institute for Environment and Development, February 2003. An informative paper about water and water use in LDCs.

http://www.iied.org/CC/documents/water&ldcs.pdf

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Sep 26 2006   Hits: 128)

Water country-profiles

Search for full text documents and organisations associated with water/irrigation development per country or region.

http://nt1.ids.ac.uk/eldis/water/dwater.htm

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 118)

Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)

Located at Loughborough University in the UK. WEDC is one of the world's leading institutions concerned with the planning, provision and management of physical infrastructure for development in low- and middle-income countries. It operates within the Institute of Development Engineering of the Department of Civil and Building Engineering. WEDC is devoted to activities that improve the health and well-being of people living in both rural areas and urban communities. We encourage the integration of technological, environmental, social, economic, and management inputs for effective and sustainable development. WEDC has steadily increased its range of activities, level of expertise and number of staff since it was founded in 1971. It now forms the core of the Institute of Development Engineering, established in 1995 to reflect the growth of new areas of professional interest which have broadened well beyond the boundaries of water and sanitation engineering.

http://wedc.ac.uk/

(Added: Mon Mar 31 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 177)

People's Water Forum Urges World Water Parliament

By Vanya Walker-Leigh FLORENCE, Italy, March 24, 2003 (ENS) - The Iraq conflict is partly about future control of Iraq's huge water resources, an Italian Catholic missionary told an alternative world water forum in Florence, endorsing the meeting's closing call for a new world water deal based on public sector control and a legal right to water for all by 2020.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2003/2003-03-24-01.asp

(Added: Wed Mar 26 2003   Modified: Wed Jun 07 2006   Hits: 123)

Making Every Drop Count: Water and Australian aid

Making every drop count: Water and Australian aid is a new policy to guide water-related assistance within the Australian overseas aid program. Water is essential for economic growth and poverty reduction. Inadequate access to water for human consumption, agriculture and other needs threatens health, productivity and environmental sustainability in our region. This publication outlines the Government's strategy to assist developing country partners in the sustainable management and development of water resources and services. It focuses on water governance and service delivery, emphasising the application of Australian knowledge and expertise to water challenges in the Asia Pacific region. Includes a Media Release, Speech, and a report (PDF format): "Making every drop count: Water and Australian Aid"

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubout.cfm?Id=8650_3406_3901_1959_9059&Type=

(Added: Tue Mar 25 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 136)

Keeping the Promise on Water (PDF)

'GEF's Contributions to Sustaining Our Planet's Water Ecosystems'. The Global Environment Facility, March 2003. Keeping the Promise on Water, a new publication by the GEF, emphasizes the need for increased cooperation among countries to sustainably manage our planet's water ecosystems. Other recommendations include the need for integrated management of land and water resources, as well as the protection of aquatic biodiversity for sustainable use.

http://gefweb.org/Outreach/outreach-PUblications/GEFWater2003.pdf

(Added: Fri Mar 21 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 107)

Water Observatory

Water Observatory is dedicated to providing information and resources to citizens, policy makers, the media, activist and movements working locally and globally on the right to water. Water Observatory is a resource center from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

http://www.waterobservatory.org/

(Added: Fri Mar 21 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 144)

Forum Tackles World Water Crisis

BBC, Sunday, 16 March, 2003. By Tim Hirsch, BBC environment correspondent. A major conference on the future of the world's supply of fresh water has opened in the Japanese city of Kyoto. The third World Water Forum has brought together about 10,000 delegates from 150 countries to debate solutions to the crisis facing more than one billion people without access to clean water. Inevitably overshadowed by the Iraq crisis, the organisers of this conference say its discussions over the next week will have far more impact on mankind for the 21st Century than current events in the Middle East.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2854151.stm

(Added: Mon Mar 17 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 204)

UN: World Water Crisis Due to Leadership Inertia

PARIS, France, March 5, 2003 (ENS) - A global water crisis of the future is taking shape today, due to "attitude and behavior problems," on the part of national leaders, says a report made public today written jointly by all United Nations agencies that deal with water. "This crisis is one of water governance, essentially caused by the ways in which we mismanage water," the agencies report.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2003/2003-03-05-02.asp

(Added: Wed Mar 12 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 115)

Case studies of privatization: A backlash

National News - January 21, 2003 The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One of the strongest arguments in favor of water privatization is the widespread inability of public utilities in the developing world to provide clean water. However, case studies in several countries show that private enterprise appears to be no panacea for this problem. Privatization, according to the studies, turns water into a profit-oriented business and hampers the poor's access to clean water. Critics say that with their main responsibility to their shareholders, it is unrealistic to expect private companies to assume the financial risk of supplying water to portions of the world's population that may not be able to afford it in the first place. The economics of water have become so highly charged that vast numbers of people have staged protests in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama and South Africa.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20030121.B02

(Added: Fri Jan 24 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 239)

Water Environment Federation

Founded in 1928, WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization. Our members are from varied disciplines and they collaborate with staff to realize the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. The WEF network includes water quality professionals from 79 Member Associations in 32 countries.

http://www.wef.org/

(Added: Thu Jan 23 2003   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 313)

Thirst below sea level

by M Suchitra, Nov 2002. "We are so used to the highly polluted water that if we drink pure water we may get dysentery." Kainakari is only one of 54 villages in the backwaters of Kuttanadu in central Kerala that face acute water scarcity. Kainakari, with over 6,000 households and 30,000 people, does not have even one public tap to supply safe water.

http://www.indiatogether.org/environment/articles/kuttanad.htm

(Added: Tue Nov 05 2002   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 129)

The Great Water Robbery (PDF)

By Gunnar Aegisson (Aug 2002), One World Action. Privatisation of water services is virtually compulsory for developing countries: both the World Bank and the IMF impose it as a precondition for funding assistance. The privatised water sector world-wide is dominated by a handful of multi-national companies. They are not interested in serving the poorest people, who are not seen as profitable customers. Water services are becoming the privilege of those who can pay high prices.

http://www.servicesforall.org/html/WaterPolicy/Summary_Robbery.html

(Added: Tue Oct 22 2002   Modified: Tue Oct 24 2006   Hits: 153)

Water Media Network

The Water Media Network is an initiative designed to help journalists examine the social, environmental, regulatory and financial issues relating to water, and experience the difference that water can make to the economy in your regions. This initiative is funded by the governments of The Netherlands and Japan and the World Bank Institute.

http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/sdwatermedianetwork/index.html

(Added: Fri Aug 23 2002   Modified: Tue Jun 14 2005   Hits: 119)

Pages: [<<] 1 2 3 4 5 [>>]