Water crisis: how local technologies can help solve a global problem

Water Crises and the Sustainable Development Goals

This report highlights the urgent attention needed to address water crises, as emphasized during the United Nations water conference held in New York City in March. Despite not leading to a binding agreement, the conference served as a wake-up call to the worsening water crises globally.

According to a report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, as of last year, approximately 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safe drinking water, and 653 million people did not have hand-washing facilities at home. These issues align with the sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Progress and Challenges

Since the launch of the SDGs, progress has been made towards achieving the water goal. An additional 2 billion people have gained access to safe drinking water since 2000, and by 2020, 56% of households had their wastewater treated. However, overall progress has been slow, and UN-Water has warned that the world is not on track to achieve SDG 6. Insufficient prioritization of this goal at both national and global levels is a significant challenge.

The estimated cost to achieve SDG 6 by 2030 is $260 billion per year, primarily in Asia and Africa where the lack of safe drinking water is most prevalent. However, international development assistance for water-related projects currently stands at around $9 billion annually and has been decreasing since 2017. Without proper policy strategies, it becomes challenging to implement large-scale research or pilot projects. To achieve universal access to clean water and sanitation, it is crucial to prioritize and invest in these areas.

Scaling Up Solutions

Communities facing water stress have developed innovative solutions, such as condensing water from clouds using nets in Chile and Peru or storing snow for dry periods in China. However, there has been limited success in systematically sharing these techniques on a larger scale. Similarly, newer technologies like membrane distillation for water desalination struggle to move beyond research and pilot phases due to a lack of communication between small-scale studies and larger-scale implementation projects.

Addressing Gender and Individual Needs

The sanitation target of SDG 6 emphasizes the need for special attention to the needs of women and girls. However, current progress reports lack data on this topic due to surveys being conducted at the household level rather than the individual level. To address this gap, inclusive measures called Water Insecurity Experiences (WISE) scales have been developed. These scales collect data at the household or individual level, examining how water insecurity impacts daily activities, health, and well-being.

The WISE scales have been adopted by numerous organizations worldwide and have demonstrated their effectiveness as a policy tool. In Australia, where water insecurity levels are officially low, the WISE methodology revealed significant levels of water and food insecurity in certain communities. This data has prompted efforts to improve the situation in collaboration with local authorities.

Conclusion

As the world approaches the 2030 deadline for the SDGs, it is crucial to focus on scaling up solutions and implementing effective policies. Achieving SDG 6 requires significant attention and investment in water and sanitation. By addressing challenges, prioritizing research, and considering individual needs, progress towards universal access to clean water and sanitation can be achieved.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The article specifically mentions SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

The article mentions the targets of SDG 6, which include ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Access to safe drinking water
• Access to hand-washing facilities at home
• Percentage of households with wastewater treatment
• Amount of international development assistance for water-related projects

The article mentions indicators such as access to safe drinking water, access to hand-washing facilities at home, the percentage of households with wastewater treatment, and the amount of international development assistance for water-related projects. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the targets of SDG 6.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: nature.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.