what is water security?
"Water security is the capacity of a population to ensure that they continue to have
access to potable water" (Wikipedia)
... that's only a very small part of it
Water and Food Security are concerned with the sustainable use and conservation of
water in agriculture (FAO)
... oops, forgot about the drinking water
"the cleanliness and abundance of the world’s water is threatened by agriculture, urban
development, and weak public regulations" (ASHOKA, Everyone A Changemaker™)
... those players are themselves part of water security, not an external threat
"No longer can water resources be taken for granted if <we are> to achieve energy
security. At the same time water security cannot be guaranteed without careful attention
to related energy issues. The two issues are inextricably linked." (Institute for the
Analysis of Global Security)
... this includes all energy generation, not only hydro
"a leader in comprehensive water security solutions... offer water utilities and high risk
facilities protection against ... accidental contamination ... terror attacks and natural
disasters" (Whitewater Security)
... hand the ammunition
H. Tiessen
capturing the complexity:
"assure global water security for both humans and freshwater biodiversity" (Vörösmarty
et al, Nature, 2010)
"Water security involves protection of vulnerable water systems, protection against
water related hazards such as floods and droughts, sustainable development of water
resources and safeguarding access to water functions and services. .... It is primarily
concerned with human interventions in water systems ... for water supply, irrigation,
drainage, navigation, hydropower, environmental purposes and the protection against
water related risks. (UNESCO)
... this is getting complex indeed - and is the reason for needing a "think tank"
H. Tiessen
Lets look over the fence (& steal some ideas)
Food Security... exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access
to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for
an active and healthy life. (World Food Summit 1996)
Why the IAI and a regional approach? - An increasingly important spatial level for GEC
considerations because of:
- regional manifestations of environmental change (see project results)
- regional science assessments (successful networking)
- linking the global and the local (global talkshops, local workshops)
- existing regional institutions (greater political integration through trade zones)
- donor interest
H. Tiessen
Concepts translated from GECAFS' food security
Water Security, i.e. stability over tme for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Social Welfare
Income
Employment
Wealth
Social capital
Politcal capital
Human capital
UTILISATION
•
•
•
ACCESS
Quality
Social Value
Safety
•
•
Afordability
Allocaton
•
•
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AVAILABILITY
•
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Recharge
Distributon
Diferentate
“what we do”
from
“what we get”
Environmental
Welfare
Ecosystem stocks &
fows
Ecosystem services
Access to natural
capital
Vulnerability of Systems to
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
GEC
Change in type, frequency &
magnitude of environmental
conditions
Capacity
to cope
with, and
adapt to,
GEC
SYSTEM
RESILIENCE / VULNERABILITY
SOCIETAL CHANGE
institutions
resource accessibility
infrastructure
economic conditions
Exposure
to GEC