Too Little Water Water scarcity is not new, but the increasing number affected is Water scarcity is not new, but the increasing number of people that are affected is new: As many as two-thirds of world’s population experience extreme water scarcity for at least one month every year, said Richard Volk of USAID.
To meet demand, “we need 70 percent more food by 2050,” said Choularton.
“You can’t have food security without water security.” Water scarcity has long-term and wide-ranging effects on food supplies, leading to poor nutrition and poor health.
“In Niger, if you’re born during a drought year, you’re 50 percent more likely to be stunted than if you’re born in a non-drought year.” Drought-driven food insecurity can have global consequences Drought-driven food insecurity can have global consequences.
How do we produce more food amid growing water scarcity?
Dams can deprive ecosystems of natural flow and downstream users of essential fresh water, but they are also a relatively low-carbon source of energy.
Sustaining Water, Sustaining Stakeholders Media and governments “pay attention to floods and droughts because it hurts.
And it also hurts because you have to re-plan about how you do it in the future,” said Dalton.
The Stockholm Environment Institute holds workshops to engage competing stakeholders in a river basin.
Event Resources Sources: 2030 Water Resources Group, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Mars Inc, Sustainable Water Partnership, Transboundary water Assessment Programme, United Nations Water, Winrock International, World Food Program, World Wildlife Fund Photo Credit: Women queue for water near Moyale in the lowlands of Ethiopia’s Oromiya region, February 2006, courtesy of Flickr user Andrew Heavens

The experts expressed these views during a seminar held to observe “World Environmental Health Day 2017”, here on Tuesday. Project Management Unit-Punjab Public Health Agency (PMU-PPHA), Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of the Punjab organized the event in collaboration with UNICEF.
On this occasion, government officials from both federal and provincial departments and ministries including Punjab’s Environment Protection Department, environmental health experts, development professionals, and technical experts from UN agencies, as well as leading national and international organizations were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz Khan, Provincial Minister for Environment Protection, remarked that addressing the interactions of environment and health is vital for sustainable development.
Khawaja Imran Nazir emphasized upon the fact that environmental health today is not a single group’s challenge, we need the meaningful engagement of everyone to improve the health of the people of the Punjab and tackle emerging challenges.
Human health is profoundly affected by weather and climate, and despite considerable progress in health services delivery and reforms over the last few years, a mixture of environmental health challenges is emerging as a threat to healthcare services, the experts said and added that deaths from extreme weather events such as heat stress, along with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and malnutrition are on the rise. On top of that, Punjab is experiencing a population boom and consequently, the burden of disease on limited healthcare resources is reaching critical levels.
The follow-up meeting of the technical working group culminated with a commitment to adopt measures that improve knowledge sharing and collaboration between various stakeholders and ensure sustainable action towards national and provincial policy agendas for environmental health, drinking water and sanitation.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Shabana Haider, Member Health, Planning and Development Department, called on the stakeholders to increase cross sectoral collaboration and adopt effective measures to improve environmental health indicators in the Punjab.

At the State Water Resources Control Board meeting on August 15th, staff from both the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Board were on hand to deliver this update on Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Implementation and planned state intervention actions.
He noted that there are four entities engaged in SGMA implementation: The Department of Water Resources is a regulatory and assisting agency; they will perform technical evaluations of the new groundwater sustainability plan requirements for the local agencies.
The local agencies in high and medium priority basins throughout the state must avoid these undesirable results within 20 years of implementing their plans; those plans are due in 2020 for critically overdrafted basins, and in 2022 for the remaining basins.
293 agencies for 127 basins?
“Because an alternative was submitted in compliance with SGMA, the GSA doesn’t necessarily have to be formed in those basins unless the Department does not approve that alternative, so of those 22 alternatives, I think 11 of those basins have full GSA coverage, 9 of those basins don’t have any GSA coverage and 2 have partial, so if the Department does not approve the alternative, there will be some additional GSAs formed in those particular basins.” Mr. Norberg said that 140 basins now have GSAs; 108 of them are high and medium priority basins; 32 low and very low priority basins have GSA coverage.
The next phase of implementation for the Department will be to provide assistance to local agencies and GSAs in the preparation of their groundwater sustainability plans.
The Board staff have worked hard to make sure there is an appropriate incentive to the process, but really the credit goes to the local agencies that have invested in a lot of hours of coordination and stakeholder meetings to get these organizations in place.” The State Water Board has identified the managed and unmanaged areas because the Board has a role after the June 30th deadline to start collecting extraction reports from groundwater pumpers in areas that are outside of the management of the GSA.
These areas were determined by taking information from the Department of Water Resources on GSA boundaries, basins submitting alternatives, and adjudicated areas, and combined those.
It’s also worth pointing out that board staff are still continuing to review the GSA filings.
When you consider that there’s somewhere between maybe 1 million and 2 million wells in the state of California, and 40 are subject to the SGMA reporting requirements, that is a tremendously successful number, and it goes to the work of the locals who realized this was a real thing and that SGMA was something that they had to look at and address and work towards going forward.” With that being said, the the hard work is still to come, Mr. Ekdahl cautioned.

NEWS WORTH NOTING: California achieves major milestone toward sustainable groundwater management; An open letter to Governor Brown on the future of water management.
California Achieves Major Milestone Toward Sustainable Groundwater Management From the Department of Water Resources: In a major step toward sustainable groundwater management in California, more than 99 percent of the state’s high- and medium-priority groundwater basins have met a key deadline to form local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) under the state’s landmark Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) of 2014.
SGMA required formation of locally controlled GSAs in the state’s 127 high- and medium-priority groundwater basins by June 30, 2017.
The plans will be reviewed by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and will be continuously updated to ensure sustainable management of the state’s groundwater by the year 2042.
Information on all of DWR’s SGMA resources and activities is available at http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/sgm/index.cfm Background on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Signed into law by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2014, SGMA is landmark legislation that empowers local agencies to sustainably manage groundwater resources.
California depends on groundwater for a major portion of its annual water supply, particularly during times of drought.
Our technology was honored as the best urban tool in the 2016 California Water Data Challenge, an excellent collaboration that brought together the two state water agencies together in partnership with the California Government Operations Agency (“Gov Ops”) and White House Council of Environmental Quality.
Those recommendations to move operations of the state water project out of the Department of Water Resources and consolidate the two state water agencies into a new Department of Water Management are more timely than ever with your leadership on the Delta Fix.
as the Advanced Research arm of Gov Ops so that we can continue delivering this mission critical work for California’s future.
——————— About News Worth Noting: News Worth Noting is a collection of press releases, media statements, and other materials produced by federal, state, and local government agencies, water agencies, and academic institutions, as well as non-profit and advocacy organizations.

New tool to help reduce water consumption.
DNV GL and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have launched a new tool to help the textiles industry manage water consumption in a more sustainable manner.
While about 2.5% of the world’s water is freshwater, only 0.5% of that amount is made available to satisfy society’s needs.
Water is also an important resource in manufacturing processes, including in the textiles sector.
Reducing water consumption by establishing sustainable production processes can therefore be an advantage for companies, as well as the communities they operate in.
Self-assessment tool DNV GL and UNIDO have jointly developed a self-assessment tool to assist textile companies in evaluating the water footprint in manufacturing processes.
“The textiles processing industry is heavily dependent on water in virtually all steps of the production process, from desizing to bleaching and dyeing.
It has one of the most extensive water footprints of all sectors,” said Smail Alhilali, Industrial Development Officer and Manager of the Global Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) programme at UNIDO.
Combating water scarcity “DNV GL and UNIDO have a common interest in combating water scarcity and improving industry awareness of water-related risks and opportunities.
This is an area where companies have a significant potential for improvement and we are pleased to use our combined expertise to help industries assess and reduce their water footprint,” said Antonio Astone, Global Sustainability Manager at DNV GL – Business Assurance.

Today, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) celebrated the launch of a partnership with Amref Health Africa that will sustainably improve the health and enable the economic empowerment of more than 500,000 people living in communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through improved access to safe water and sanitation as well as economic empowerment through income generating opportunities.
The partnership will sustainably improve the health and enable the economic empowerment of more than 500,000 people living in communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through improved access to safe water and sanitation as well as economic empowerment through income generating opportunities.
It will be part of TCCAF’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) which aims to reach at least 6 million people throughout Africa with improved and sustainable access to safe water.
The project is expected to be completed by February 2020.
During the celebration, Dr Susan Mboya, President of TCCAF, remarked: “Water is the most essential ingredient for a healthy and productive life.
We recognise the urgency of these issues and that is why The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has taken this step through the RAIN programme to contribute to achieve the SDGs and ensure access to safe drinking water for all.” “Development needs a big shift in thinking, from just building infrastructure to creating and strengthening institutions through innovation and entrepreneurship.
I would like to thank our partners, including The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative and Amref Health Africa for your support to achieving the SDG 6, ‘Clean Water & Sanitation’ to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” Mr Paul Mwanthuko Munyao, a teacher at Kilanga Primary school and a resident of Kitui East sub-county where the RAIN project will be implemented was among the key speakers.
Mr Munyao stated that lack of clean and safe water was a major constraint especially to mothers and girls who walked for many Kilometers to fetch water.
“Before Amref interventions, our girls had to miss school as they spent several hours looking for water on a daily basis.
“As a teacher and a parent, I am looking forward to this project because I know it will bring a positive impact in my community especially on the girl child.” The partnership with Amref Health Africa will address the gap to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three key areas: increasing access to water; access to safe sanitation and hygiene; and livelihood opportunities for women and youth.

Today, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) celebrated the launch of a partnership with Amref Health Africa that will sustainably improve the health and enable the economic empowerment of more than 500,000 people living in communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through improved access to safe water and sanitation as well as economic empowerment through income generating opportunities.
The partnership will sustainably improve the health and enable the economic empowerment of more than 500,000 people living in communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda through improved access to safe water and sanitation as well as economic empowerment through income generating opportunities.
It will be part of TCCAF’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) which aims to reach at least 6 million people throughout Africa with improved and sustainable access to safe water.
The project is expected to be completed by February 2020.
During the celebration, Dr Susan Mboya, President of TCCAF, remarked: “Water is the most essential ingredient for a healthy and productive life.
We recognise the urgency of these issues and that is why The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has taken this step through the RAIN programme to contribute to achieve the SDGs and ensure access to safe drinking water for all.” “Development needs a big shift in thinking, from just building infrastructure to creating and strengthening institutions through innovation and entrepreneurship.
I would like to thank our partners, including The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative and Amref Health Africa for your support to achieving the SDG 6, ‘Clean Water & Sanitation’ to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” Mr Paul Mwanthuko Munyao, a teacher at Kilanga Primary school and a resident of Kitui East sub-county where the RAIN project will be implemented was among the key speakers.
Mr Munyao stated that lack of clean and safe water was a major constraint especially to mothers and girls who walked for many Kilometers to fetch water.
“Before Amref interventions, our girls had to miss school as they spent several hours looking for water on a daily basis.
“As a teacher and a parent, I am looking forward to this project because I know it will bring a positive impact in my community especially on the girl child.” The partnership with Amref Health Africa will address the gap to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three key areas: increasing access to water; access to safe sanitation and hygiene; and livelihood opportunities for women and youth.

Country Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza was the chief guest while Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, National Programme Director (SLMP-II), Ishrat Ali, Hamid Marwat, National Programme Coordinator (SLMP-II), Professor Dr. Maqsood Anwar, Dean Faculty of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, Professor Dr. Sarwat N. Mirza, Chairman Department of Forestry & Range Management of PMAS-AAUR, deans, directors, faculty members and large numbers of students were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the audience at the seminar, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza emphasised to mainstream efforts for sustainable land management to combat desertification.
He said, "Desertification is a global phenomenon, affecting the livelihoods of 900 million people across the five continents and representing a third of worldwide threats to biodiversity.
It requires global attention and local action."
Mr. Artaza acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Climate Change and appreciated Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) for on-the-ground efforts to combat desertification in 14 districts in all four provinces of the country.
Professor Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR, highlighted the role university was playing for better climate in the country.
He emphasised that such collaborative activities must be strengthened and taken forward for fighting desertification in Pakistan.
He also appreciated UNDP Pakistan and Ministry of Climate Change for taking the lead in sustainable land management through their joint programme, SLMP.
“Rainwater harvesting is the best source to meet the agriculture needs also improves the quality and quantity of produce”, he added.
National Programme Director (SLMP-II), Ishrat Ali informed the audience that Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) was aware of the threats posed by desertification, land degradation and drought to environmental sustainability and appreciates value of policy, projects and programme’s interventions in combating desertification, land degradation and drought.

Rawalpindi – Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) in collaboration with Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) organised a seminar on ‘Combating Desertification in Pakistan’ and an awareness walk as well as tree planting to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), here on Thursday.
The WDCD is observed every year on 17 June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
Country Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza was the chief guest while Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, National Programme Director (SLMP-II), Ishrat Ali, Hamid Marwat, National Programme Coordinator (SLMP-II), Prof Dr Maqsood Anwar, Dean Faculty of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza, Chairman Department of Forestry & Range Management of PMAS-AAUR, Deans, Directors, faculty members and large numbers of students were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the audience at the seminar, Country Director United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza emphasized to mainstream efforts for sustainable land management to combat desertification.
He said, “Desertification is a global phenomenon, affecting the livelihoods of 900 million people across the five continents and representing a third of worldwide threats to biodiversity.
It requires global attention and local action.” Artaza acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Climate Change and appreciated Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) for on-the-ground efforts to combat desertification in 14 districts in all four provinces of the country.
Prof Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor PMAS AAUR, highlighted the role university was playing for better climate in the country.
He also appreciated UNDP Pakistan and Ministry of Climate Change for taking the lead in sustainable land management through their joint programme, SLMP.
He said, “SLMP is working on developing Integrated Sustainable Land Management Policies, Land Use Plans at district and village levels, and on ground interventions that aim for effective environmental management for combating desertification, land degradation and drought in Pakistan.” Earlier, Hamid Marwat, National Programme Coordinator (SLMP-II) briefed the audience about World Desertification Day and about SLMP approaches and interventions for better land management in Pakistan.
In order to meet the objectives of the convention, Government of Pakistan, with support from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) is implementing second phase of the Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP-II) in fourteen dry land districts of all four provinces.

The Carlsberg Group is switching to 100% renewable electricity at its breweries by 2022.
We also believe that relying on carbon intensive fossil fuel energy for our growth as a company will lead to future business risks, due to the global drive towards a low carbon future.
To achieve bold decarbonization targets globally, we believe that business must step up and help lead the change.
With our commitments in our new program, ‘Together Towards ZERO’, we are playing our part to make this happen.
We have revised our sustainability ambitions and targets in the light of global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, as well as our own corporate strategy ‘SAIL’22’.
What plans do you have to switch to renewable electricity in future?
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We strongly believe that our ambitious program will give us a competitive advantage and help us in becoming the preferred beer for key customers and consumers, driven by a global thirst for sustainable beer.
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When it comes to carbon we have pledged to achieve zero carbon emissions at our breweries by 2030.