Do you want to know how we can turn the tide and restore the water-cycle in a conflict affected area? The Weather Makers, in collaboration with HCSS, Anthesis and Tamatta, will host a presentation and panel discussion on the topic of Nature-based Solutions for Water and Peace at the UN 2023 Water Conference.
This side event uses a practical and well-researched case-study for the Sinai Peninsula to demonstrate how we can turn the tide of soil degradation and water scarcity while taking into account the social, economic, political and security dynamics of a region.
Speakers include HCSS senior strategic analyst Laura Birkman, HCSS special strategic advisor Tom Middendorp, Juliette Kool (Weather Makers), Bianca Nijhof (Weather Makers), John D. Liu (ecologist and filmmaker), Dennis Kerkhoven (YesAndMore) and other high-level speakers.
Our event will take place on Friday the 24th of March from 9:30 to 10:45 EST in Side-room B in the UN Headquarters and will feature a presentation and panel discussion with high-level speakers on the topic of Nature-based Solutions for Water and Peace.
TOPIC
The thematic focus of this event is the reciprocity between the state of the biosphere, global freshwater distribution and social stability—corresponding to the interactive dialogue themes three and five, ‘Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment’ and ‘Water Action Decade’, respectively.
This side event uses a practical and well-researched case-study for the Sinai Peninsula to demonstrate how we can turn the tide of soil degradation and water scarcity while taking into account the social, economic, political and security dynamics of a region. The case study goes beyond the call for action and addresses the role of humanity as active climate-influencing agents. Topics that will be addressed include e.g., the opportunity for the offshore industry and water sector to play a leading role in the regeneration of ecosystems worldwide; how data, science and technology can be redirected to support the design ecosystem-based management approaches; novel blended finance arrangements; and future-proof investment strategies for Nature-based Solutions.
BACKGROUND
Wide-spread land degradation, biodiversity loss and soil erosion puts pressure on the availability of fresh water resources, which poses a direct risk to human livelihoods—especially those of vulnerable communities. Their lower adaptive and coping capacity to mitigate these risks also make them more susceptible to the emergence of conflict. Consciously resituating ourselves as stewards of the Earth by leveraging the power of the biosphere through large-scale restoration is key to enhance food and water security and thereby lay the foundations for a peaceful society. This requires multi-disciplinary, cross-scale, security-proof collaboration amongst indigenous communities, governments, industries, financial institutions and academics, such that efforts to improve the water situation in fragile contexts don’t lead to further strains and stresses at local level.
PROGRAM
Wide-spread land degradation, biodiversity loss and soil erosion puts pressure on the availability of fresh water resources, which poses a direct risk to human livelihoods—especially those of vulnerable communities. Their lower adaptive and coping capacity to mitigate these risks also make them more susceptible to the emergence of conflict. Consciously resituating ourselves as stewards of the Earth by leveraging the power of the biosphere through large-scale restoration is key to enhance food and water security and thereby lay the foundations for a peaceful society. This requires multi-disciplinary, cross-scale, security-proof collaboration amongst indigenous communities, governments, industries, financial institutions and academics, such that efforts to improve the water situation in fragile contexts don’t lead to further strains and stresses at local level.
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