“Adapting requires resources, will and training regarding capacities”
Punto de Encuentro had the opportunity to talk with Eng.
Margarita Fontova, President of the Hydrographic Basins
Committee of UPADI, who works as a specialist in the Direction of
the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources of Cuba and is
President of the Hydraulic Engineering Association of the National
Union of Architects and Engineers of Cuba.
¿Which have
congresses?
been
the
main
results
of
the
former
I have been attending the technical Committee of UPADI since
2008. This is the third Congress in Costa Rica, in the former ones
there were basins forums of the Panamerican Technical
Committee, where the working documents set forth at the
Congress in Costa Rica were presented with very good results.
Now at the third Congress, it is possible to evaluate the evolution of the work done before.
I believe the Technical Committee of Costa Rica is a strong group, which is helping us in
the tasks of the PanAmerican Committee.
This congress enables the exchange among the specialists in Costa Rica, regarding basin
management and the effect being caused by climate change.
I am thankful with the “Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos” and with the
“Colegio de Ingenieros Tecnólogos de Costa Rica” for the invitation to this Congress which
has allowed me to attend high level presentations.
¿What other projects are managed by the PanAmerican Committee, regarding the
topic of mitigation and adaptation to climate change?
The first step is the Ninth Hydrographic Basins Forum, which is going to take place in
Cuba June 3-5th., where one of the main topics is the impact of climate change in the
basins.
The Committee´s work program has foreseen a series of methodologies to encourage the
best techniques and experiences which have been presented in these events. This type of
work to elaborate a review of methodologies which can serve as a basis to mitigate the
effects of the change are encouraged in the web page of UPADI as in those of the
associations which are part of the Technical Committee.
The Committee has not been able to have the participation of all the members of the
countries. Currently, we have the participation of El Salvador, Costa Rica and the work
group from Cuba.
¿What is the difference between mitigation and adaptation of climate change?
The mitigation is in the activities which originate the green house effect gases. And the
adaptation to climate change is a long process, where we are trying to progress with the
measures which hinder an accelerated climate deterioration.
If we want to avoid direct effect on population damages, the economy and the environment
it is necessary to adapt and adopt measures, in order for this not to extend any longer and
for it to start affecting the ecosystems.
¿What should be the contribution of the private and public companies?
It is necessary to join efforts, because the adaptation measures require resources, will to
work, training on technical capacities and work training so that each institution or company
complies with their role in the basin. This is attained with the coordination among the
companies.