Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Integrating water with climate change adaptation plans


This brief argues that water resource management should not be overlooked in plans for climate change adaptation in Africa since it is vulnerable to climate change impacts which are, in large part, connected by water. Rainfall is uneven and unpredictable across different parts of the continent and varies dramatically by season. These variations can bring about floods and severe droughts that can last for years. The impacts of these weather events on economic development are serious. Severe floods affect millions of people and damage infrastructure; and too little rain means that farmers are unable to store water, which lowers food production and leads to hunger and financial loss. The authors go on to say that since water resources are the foundation for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, they must be protected, say the authors. But this requires investment in transboundary water management programmes and commitment to the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), which include recognising that water and land management need coordination. Full article avaiable here.

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