Our national media certainly took notice this week when Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, delivered his stark warnings on the fragile nature of UK water supply. ‘Escaping the jaws of death’ is not the language typically associated with our policy makers. That said, he succeeded in getting a critical message across.
(Full speech https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/escaping-the-jaws-of-death-ensuring-enough-water-in-2050)
Although focussed on the issues we face in the UK, Sir James’ speech has relevance on the global stage, highlighting the critical importance of implementing effective water management practice.
Today marks the UN’s World Water Day with this year’s theme: ‘leaving no-one behind’. A central tenet of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it raises awareness of the scale of the issues surrounding poor water supply, stressing the need for regulatory and legal frameworks to recognise the right to water for all.
Around four billion people, nearly two thirds of the world’s population, experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year, and these conditions could lead to the displacement of 700 million people worldwide by 2030.
To avoid such outcomes, the UN echoes Sir James in recognising that the solution lies in greater knowledge sharing and collaboration. Only by working together to define and adopt best practice today will we achieve a resilient future in which water insecurity and poverty are no longer a threat.