This year we step in to a virtual World Water Week (#WWWeek) right #AtHome. World Water Week 2020 is planned around the theme ‘’Water and Climate Change: Accelerating Action”.
Water is not just a central part of the problem – it is also a central focus for adaptive solutions. It is with this focus that we launched our #water4climate campaign this year in line with World Water Day.
The virtual adaptation of #WWWeekfollows suit to bringtogether a broad rangeof convenor-hostedsessions on water and climate with IWMI co-hosting and taking part in several.
The event, organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), provides an opportunity for scientists, policy makers and representatives of the private sector and civil society to foster new thinking and collaborative action on today’s most pressing water-related challenges.
If we can manage water better, we can adapt to climate change. Across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, IWMI and partners research and develop evidence-based water solutions for a…
Claudia Sadoff at COP25 High-Level Segment
Hear Dr. Claudia Sadoff, Director General, International Water Management Institute, address the 2019 COP25 High-Level Segment in Madrid.
Claudia Sadoff at COP25 High-Level Segment
Hear Dr. Claudia Sadoff, Director General, International Water Management Institute, address the 2019 COP25 High-Level Segment in Madrid.
Early warning systems (EWS) facilitate societies’ preparedness and effective response capabilities to climate risks. Climate risks embody hazards, exposure, and vulnerability associated with a particular geographical area. Building an effective EWS requires consideration of the factors above to help people with coping mechanisms. The objective of this paper is to propose an approach that can enhance EWSs and ensure an effective climate risk resilience development. The paper focuses on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and highlights the issues with EWS, identifying weaknesses and characteristics of EWS to help in climate risk adaptation strategies. The SADC region was chosen as the context because it is a climate variability and change hotspot with many vulnerable populations residing in rural communities. Trending themes on building climate risk resilience were uncovered through scientific mapping and network analysis of published articles from 2008 to 2022. This paper contributes to on-going research on building climate risks resilience through early warning systems to identify hidden trends and emerging technologies from articles in order to enhance the operationalization and design of EWS. This review provides insight into technological interventions for assessing climate risks to build preparedness and resilience. From the review analysis, it is determined that there exists a plethora of evidence to support the argument that involving communities in the co-designing of EWS would improve risk knowledge, anticipation, and preparedness. Additionally, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies provide effective tools to address existing EWS’ weaknesses, such as lack of real-time data collection and automation. However, 4IR technology is still at a nascent stage in EWS applications in Africa. Furthermore, policy across societies, institutions, and technology industries ought to be coordinated and integrated to develop a strategy toward implementing climate resilient-based EWS to facilitate the operations of disaster risk managers. The Social, Institutional, and Technology model can potentially increase communities’ resilience; therefore, it is recommended to develop EWS.
Bibliometric analysis / SADC countries / Weather hazards / Extreme weather events / Community involvement / Climate change adaptation / Early warning systems / Disaster risk reduction / Climate resilience Record No:H052487
Hydro-climatic extremes, such as floods and droughts, are influenced by climate change and climate variability, significantly affecting natural ecosystems, human lives, and livelihood. It is crucial to advance the understanding of long-term trends of hydro-climatic extremes for effective water resource planning and management. We analyzed 25 climatic extremes-related indices and 33 hydrologic extremes-related indices in a medium-range river basin in western Nepal, the Babai River Basin. We used RClimDex and Indicators for Hydrologic Alterations to analyze extreme climatic and hydrologic parameters. We computed monotonic trends to evaluate temporal changes in extreme events. The results show a positive trend of total precipitation at Kusum (+ 2.2 mm/year) and Bargadaha (+ 17.7 mm/year) stations and a negative trend at Gulariya (- 5.7 mm/year), Nayabasti (- 7.0 mm/year), Luwamjula (- 5.9 mm/year), and Ghorai (- 18.5 mm/year) stations. Similarly, we observe that almost all temperature extreme indices have a rising trend except the percentage of the days when the maximum temperature is less than the 10th percentile index at Rani Jaruwa station, located at a low elevation. Notably, the cold day temperature index falls at 0.13 days per year. Overall, the hydrologic alteration value shows moderate variability and reduction in the median flow for the second half. The findings of this study indicate that the study area is subjected to a reduced flow regime with a medium degree of variability.
Spatial distribution / Trends / Discharge / Temperature / Precipitation / Parameters / Climate change / River basins / Indicators / Hydrological factors / Extreme weather events Record No:H052322
Antibiotics have revolutionised medicine in the last century and enabled the prevention of bacterial infections that were previously deemed untreatable. However, in parallel, bacteria have increasingly developed resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms. When resistant bacteria find their way into terrestrial and aquatic environments, animal and human exposures increase, e.g., via polluted soil, food, and water, and health risks multiply. Understanding the fate and transport of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and the transfer mechanisms of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments is critical for evaluating and mitigating the risks of resistant-induced infections. The conceptual understanding of sources and pathways of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs from society to the water environments is essential for setting the scene and developing an appropriate framework for modelling. Various factors and processes associated with hydrology, ecology, and climate change can significantly affect the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs in natural environments. This article reviews current knowledge, research gaps, and priorities for developing water quality models to assess the fate and transport of ARB and ARGs. The paper also provides inputs on future research needs, especially the need for new predictive models to guide risk assessment on AR transmission and spread in aquatic environments.
Climate change / Risk assessment / Bacteria / Microbial communities / Wastewater treatment plants / Groundwater / Sediment / Health hazards / Environmental factors / Modelling / Water quality / Gene transfer / Aquatic environment / Antibiotic resistance Record No:H052253
Quantifying water-saving potential (WSP) is crucial for sustainable water resource management in canal command areas and river basins. Previous studies have partially or fully ignored the importance of groundwater in WSP assessments, particularly in irrigated areas. This study is aimed at quantifying WSP in the Lower Chenab Canal (LCC) command area of the Indus River Basin, Pakistan, under various scenarios of future climate change and groundwater recharge. These quantifications are conducted using an empirical model based on the Budyko theory. The model was forced using observed, remote sensing, and CMIP6 future climate data for two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP245 and SSP585) and their ensembles (cold-dry, cold-wet, warm-dry, and warm-wet) for possible futures. The results showed that the average WSP in the LCC command area was 466 48 mm/year during the historical period (2001–2020). The WSP is projected to decrease by – 68 3% under the warm-dry ensemble scenario (SSP245 and SSP585) and – 48 13% under the ensembled cold-wet scenario by 2100. The results also demonstrated that WSP could be increased by up to 70 9% by artificially recharging 20% of the abstracted groundwater per year in the LCC command area by the late twenty-first century. Our findings highlight the importance of adopting artificial groundwater recharge to enhance the WSP and sustainably manage water resources in the LCC command area. Policymakers should consider these findings when deciding on water resource management in the Indus River Basin.
Models / Projections / Water availability / Artificial recharge / Energy balance / Water management / Water resources / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation systems / River basins / Groundwater recharge / Climate change / Water conservation Record No:H052239
Rweyemamu, M. R.; Mruma, T.; Nkanyani, S. 2024. Tanzania agricultural policy profile. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa 21p. More... | Fulltext (520 KB)
Tanzania places a significant emphasis on the importance of its agricultural sector, acknowledging its pivotal role in both the economy and the livelihoods of its citizens. The governmentapos;s commitment to the advancement of agriculture is evident through the execution of diverse policies and programs. The central pillar of Tanzaniaapos;s agricultural policies is the Agricultural Policy of 2013, which delineates strategies to boost productivity, ensure food security, and enhance the socio-economic conditions of farmers. The policy underscores the importance of sustainable practices and the adoption of technology.; Several key programs contribute to the realization of the regions agricultural policy objectives such as the Agricultural Sector Development Program (ASDP) II which focuses on modernizing agriculture, improving infrastructure, and enhancing market access. The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) seeks to attract investments and boost agricultural productivity in the southern regions and the quot;Kilimo Kwanzaquot; initiative, meaning quot;Agriculture First,quot; emphasizes the prioritization of agriculture in national development. It encourages private sector involvement, technology adoption, and increased agricultural productivity.; Tanzania has made significant progress in agricultural development, marked by increased production and improved livelihoods. However, challenges persist, encompassing the impacts of climate change, issues related to market access, and the imperative for sustained policy implementation tailored to fortify the agricultural sectorapos;s resilience. The Tanzanian government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the agricultural sector. Future efforts are anticipated to emphasise the need for sustainable practices, technological innovations, and inclusive policies to address challenges and promote long-term growth.; In conclusion, Tanzaniaapos;s agricultural policy framework reflects a comprehensive approach to sector development. The implementation of key programs and initiatives demonstrates the governmentapos;s unwavering dedication to nurturing a robust, sustainable, and economically vibrant agricultural sector for the holistic benefit of its nation.
In the context of river basins, the threat of climate change has been extensively studied. However, many of these studies centred on hazard analysis while neglecting the need for comprehensive risk assessments that account for exposure and vulnerability. Hazard analysis alone is not adequate for making adaptive decisions. Thus, to effectively manage flood risk, it is essential to understand the elements that contribute to vulnerability and exposure in addition to hazard analysis. This study aims to assess flood risk (in space and time until the year 2100) for the agricultural system, in the White Volta Basin in northern Ghana. Employing the impact chain methodology, a mix of quantitative and qualitative data and techniques were used to assess hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Multi-model climate change data (RCP 8.5) from CORDEX and observation data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency were used for hazard analysis. Data on exposure, vulnerability, and adaptation were collected through structured interviews. Results indicate that flood hazard will increase by 79.1% with high spatial variability of wet periods but the flood risk of the catchment will increase by 19.3% by the end of the twenty-first century. The highest flood risk is found in the Upper East region, followed by North East, Northern, Savannah, and Upper West for all four analysed periods. Adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and exposure factors are driven by poverty, ineffective institutional governance, and a lack of livelihood alternatives. We conclude that the region is highly susceptible and vulnerable to floods, and that shifting from isolated hazard analysis to a comprehensive assessment that considers exposure and vulnerability reveals the underlying root causes of the risk. Also, the impact chain is useful in generating insight into flood risk for policymakers and researchers. We recommend the need to enhance local capacity and foster social transformation in the region.
Food security / Resilience / Agrobiodiversity / Climate change / Climate-smart agriculture / Underutilized species / Crop modelling Record No:H052691
Reyes-Garca, V.; Garca-Del-Amo, D.; Porcuna-Ferrer, A.; Schlingmann, A.; Abazeri, M.; Attoh, Emmanuel M. N. A. N.; vila, J. V. d. C.; Ayanlade, A.; Babai, D.; Benyei, P.; Calvet-Mir, L.; Carmona, R.; Caviedes, J.; Chah, J.; Chakauya, R.; Cun-Sanchez, A.; Fernndez-Llamazares, .; Galappaththi, E. K.; Gerkey, D.; Graham, S.; Guillerminet, T.; Huanca, T.; Ibarra, J. T.; Junqueira, A. B.; Li, X.; Lpez-Maldonado, Y.; Mattalia, G.; Samakov, A.; Schunko, C.; Seidler, R.; Sharakhmatova, V.; Singh, P.; Tofghi-Niaki, A.; Torrents-Tic, M.; LICCI Consortium. 2024. Local studies provide a global perspective of the impacts of climate change on indigenous peoples and local communities.Sustainable Earth Reviews, 7:1 . [DOI] More... | Fulltext (1.26 MB)
Indigenous Peoples and local communities with nature-dependent livelihoods are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts, but their experience, knowledge and needs receive inadequate attention in climate research and policy. Here, we discuss three key findings of a collaborative research consortium arising from the Local Indicators of Climate Change Impacts project. First, reports of environmental change by Indigenous Peoples and local communities provide holistic, relational, placed-based, culturally-grounded and multi-causal understandings of change, largely focused on processes and elements that are relevant to local livelihoods and cultures. These reports demonstrate that the impacts of climate change intersect with and exacerbate historical effects of socioeconomic and political marginalization. Second, drawing on rich bodies of inter-generational knowledge, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have developed context-specific responses to environmental change grounded in local resources and strategies that often absorb the impacts of multiple drivers of change. Indigenous Peoples and local communities adjust in diverse ways to impacts on their livelihoods, but the adoption of responses often comes at a significant cost due to economic, political, and socio-cultural barriers operating at societal, community, household, and individual levels. Finally, divergent understandings of change challenge generalizations in research examining the human dimensions of climate change. Evidence from Indigenous and local knowledge systems is context-dependent and not always aligned with scientific evidence. Exploring divergent understandings of the concept of change derived from different knowledge systems can yield new insights which may help prioritize research and policy actions to address local needs and priorities.
Sociocultural environment / Local knowledge / Livelihoods / Local communities / Indigenous peoples / Climate change impacts Record No:H052569
Reyes-Garca, V.; Garca-del-Amo, D.; lvarez-Fernndez, S.; Benyei, P.; Calvet-Mir, L.; Junqueira, A. B.; Labeyrie, V.; LI, X.; Miarro, S.; Porcher, V.; Porcuna-Ferrer, A.; Schlingmann, A.; Schunko, C.; Soleymani, R.; Tofighi-Niaki, A.; Abazeri, M.; Attoh, Emmanuel M. N. A. N.; Ayanlade, A.; vila, J. V. D. C.; Babai, D.; Bulamah, R. C.; Campos-Silva, J.; Carmona, R.; Caviedes, J.; Chakauya, R.; Chambon, M.; Chen, Z.; Chengula, F.; Conde, E.; Cun-Sanchez, A.; Demichelis, C.; Dudina, E.; Fernndez-Llamazares, .; Galappaththi, E. K.; Geffner-Fuenmayor, C.; Gerkey, D.; Glauser, M.; Hirsch, E.; Huanca, T.; Ibarra, J. T.; Izquierdo, A. E.; Junsberg, L.; Lanker, M.; Lpez-Maldonado, Y.; Mariel, J.; Mattalia, G.; Miara, M. D.; Torrents-Tic, M.; Salimi, M.; Samakov, A.; Seidler, R.; Sharakhmatova, V.; Shrestha, U. B.; Sharma, A.; Singh, P.; Ulambayar, T.; Wu, R.; Zakari, I. S. 2024. Indigenous peoples and local communities report ongoing and widespread climate change impacts on local social-ecological systems.Communications Earth and Environment, 5:29. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (1.83 MB)
The effects of climate change depend on specific local circumstances, posing a challenge for worldwide research to comprehensively encompass the diverse impacts on various local social-ecological systems. Here we use a place-specific but cross-culturally comparable protocol to document climate change indicators and impacts as locally experienced and analyze their distribution. We collected first-hand data in 48 sites inhabited by Indigenous Peoples and local communities and covering all climate zones and nature-dependent livelihoods. We documented 1,661 site-agreed reports of change corresponding to 369 indicators. Reports of change vary according to climate zone and livelihood activity. We provide compelling evidence that climate change impacts on Indigenous Peoples and local communities are ongoing, tangible, widespread, and affect multiple elements of their social-ecological systems. Beyond potentially informing contextualized adaptation plans, our results show that local reports could help identify economic and non-economic loss and damage related to climate change impacts suffered by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Climatic zones / Livelihoods / Indicators / Climate change / Local communities / Indigenous peoples Record No:H052568
Purpose: Eastern Africa has a complex hydroclimate and socio-economic context, making it vulnerable to climate change-induced hydrological extremes. This review presents recent research on drivers and typologies of extremes across different geographies and highlights challenges and improvements in forecasting hydrological extremes at various timescales.; Recent Findings: Droughts and floods remain the major challenges of the region. Recently, frequent alterations between droughts and floods have been a common occurrence and concern. Research underlines the heterogeneity of extremes and the impact of climate change as increased intensity and duration of extremes. Moreover, the importance of local and antecedent conditions in changing the characteristics of extremes is emphasized.; Summary: A better understanding of these drivers and how they interact is required. Observational and modeling tools must capture these relationships and extremes on short timescales. Although there are improvements in forecasting these extremes, providing relevant information beyond meteorological variables requires further research.