Collecting inputs for the Bonn2011 Nexus Conference preparatory process

The question of how to effectively use our water resources has been debated for decades, yet what we need more than ever is direct action at the field level.

A message from Felix Dodds, Executive Director of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future and International Steering Committee (ISC) Member

“The flapping of a butterfly’s wings may or may not have the capacity to trigger a tornado on another continent, but without a doubt, our food, water and energy systems have profound impacts upon each other (and us, and our planet). With that in mind, we’re excited to introduce our new GRACE website, which we built to reflect the interconnected nature of these three systems.”

With population rising, how can a water crisis be averted? After two unusually dry winters - which have left reservoirs, aquifers and rivers below normal levels - seven water companies across southern and eastern England are about to impose water restrictions. But experts say population growth and climate change could spell a much grimmer future.

Agriculture consumes the most water worldwide: the theme of this year’s World Water Week in Stockholm was “Water and Food Security”. Discussions centered on the question of how agricultural production can be increased by 40 to 50 per cent over the next 30 years in order to provide food security for a growing global population - even though there is not more water available. As KfW reported, at the conference some 1,500 experts from development policy organisations and from the policy, scientific and civic communities sat together to work on this issue.

The global water crisis makes collaboration between business, NGOs and civil society essential for securing a sustainable, long term future for all. In Stockholm, 2,500 delegates have gathered for World Water Week to discuss the global water crisis and its effects on food security. Droughts and floods from America to Australia have devastated farms, frustrated civic leaders and caused food prices to skyrocket at a disturbing rate. Now companies are realising that water stewardship is both a moral imperative and makes smart business sense. With the world confronting a 40% gap between the planet’s supply and demand by 2030, the time to confront water scarcity is now.

Agriculture consumes the most water worldwide: the theme of this year’s World Water Week in Stockholm was “Water and Food Security”. Discussions centered on the question of how agricultural production can be increased by 40 to 50 per cent over the next 30 years in order to provide food security for a growing global population - even though there is not more water available. At the conference some 1,500 experts from development policy organisations and from the policy, scientific and civic communities sat together to work on this issue. The laureate of the Stockholm Water Prize, the International Water Management Institute IWMI, put it succinctly by saying “agriculture is thirsty”. Colin Chartres from IWMI underscored that the water requirements in agriculture will double if developments continue at their current pace. Therefore use of the scarce resource water must be optimised and generating additional need should be avoided as far as possible.