Our Message at Davos: Water & Sanitation Are a Critical Line of Defence Against Climate Change

Credit: WaterAid/ DRIK/ Habibul HaqueBy Tim WainwrightLONDON, Jan 31 2020 (IPS) There was only one topic on everyone’s lips at Davos this year – climate change. The headlines focused on the cold war between Greta Thunberg and Donald Trump, but there was much greater consensus among those gathered for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Forum itself updated its manifesto for responsible business – with climate right at its core. Among those calling for urgent action was WaterAid’s own president, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. It’s more than 30 years since he last attended Davos and, as he reminded the audience, 50 years since he made his first speech on the environment. His message was stark, and his call to action challenging: the climate emergency requires nothing less than an overhaul of the current economy, with a new deal for people and planet. The mood is slowly shifting towards the scale of action needed, given that climate change will affect every part of the economy. This cannot be truer than for water – the WEF has ranked water crises in its top five global risks in terms of likelihood or impact every year since 2012. Infographic showing the top 10 risks over the next 10 years, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 report. Credit: World Economic Forum The climate crisis is a water crisis, and a threat multiplier Throughout the forum I had one consistent message: for the world’s poorest, the climate crisis is ...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Civil Society Climate Change Development & Aid Environment Featured Global Headlines Health Population Poverty & SDGs TerraViva United Nations Water & Sanitation Source Type: news