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’Change behaviour on water to end crisis’
2006-03-27 09:03:35
By Deodatus Mfugale, Mexico City
The way human beings use and manage water has resulted in the current water crisis and the world has a choice to either continue with its ways and sink deeper into trouble or change them for the benefit of humankind, according to Unesco Director General Koichiro Matsuura.
While forums, workshops and other forms of discussions have been going on over the years, little has been achieved in changing the behaviour of human beings and subsequently solving the water crisis, Matsuura said in his remarks to mark World Water Day (WWD).
’Our behaviour is responsible for the crisis we are facing now. This is true today as it was five years ago despite pledges for action that various stakeholders in the water sector have made over the years,’ he said.
The celebrations coincided with the end of the Fourth World Water Forum held in Mexico City.
Matsuura said the message for this year’s WWD was Water and Culture ’which implies that we have to include the cultural aspect in the management of water’.
’There is no culture in the world that promotes the pollution, wastage or destruction of water resources,’ he added.
On water as a basis for development, the Unesco boss said water brought together all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on health, poverty, gender, education, environment, adding that without water, none of the MDGs could be realised.
’There is ample justification, therefore, for all of us to ensure the efficient use of water by embarking on management that takes consideration of all its aspects,’ he said.
Stressing the need for incorporating the cultural aspect in water management, Matsuura said that shifting to the cultural approach of water management would reduce damage to the natural environment, infrastructure and wasteful use while inclusion of local knowledge on water would enhance the realisation of MDGs.
’While science and technology are important in dealing with the water crisis, the cultural aspect would enhance tolerance, solidarity, collaboration and promote the spirit of sharing among societies,’ he noted.
However, Matsuura paid tribute to the growing attention that politicians are paying to the issue of water, but hastened to say that had they exhibited this change of attitude years ago, the world would not be facing a severe water crisis today.
Commenting on the situation of the water crisis and efforts made so far to deal with it, the Water and Energy Officer for Population Services International (PSI), David Boys, said public utilities had a major role to play in arresting the water crisis.
’About 10,000 people, mostly children, will die on WWD and every day of the year from lack of clean and safe drinking water every day.
This crisis must be resolved on the ground, not at global conferences and public utilities are the key actors.
Governments must strengthen them because they know the problems and have ideas for the solutions,’ he told The Guardian in an exclusive interview.
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