Nicolás Pineda
¿Cuáles son los retos de seguridad del agua que resultan de la variabilidad climática y la escasez de agua en las regiones áridas del continente americano?
What are the water security challenges emanating from the intersections of climate and water scarcity in the arid
Americas?

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The Americas are growing and getting more prosperous
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For year 2040 the Americas population will increase from 940 millions to 1,100 millions
At the same rates, the demand for basic commodities –water, energy, food- are rising.
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Urbanization is going to be a driver
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Around 80% of the Americas population will live in cities

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The 33% urban population increase will demand:
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30% more water
50% more energy
40% more food
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This is a « perfect storm » of a growing population, climate variability and diminishing resources for food production
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There is an urgency for difficult policy decisions that must be taken now

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To switch to removable sources of energy and to low energy-consuming technologies
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Move forward to energy saving technologies
Increase the production of solar energy
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Redesign cities so as to be cooler and energy efficient
Use more public transport, bike and walk
To do more with the same water and do it sustainably
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Tend to more vulnerable groups (poor, children and elderly)
Use water more efficiently in networks
Treat and reuse wastewaters
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Harvest rain water
Swap water rights from agriculture
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Venture in desalination
To produce more food , and produce it sustainably
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Switch from ditch to drip irrigation
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Stop groundwater depletion
Promote urban agriculture
The Center for Water Security will play a strategic role in facing these challenges