HP2: Tackling the global climate and water crisis –
Consistent policy, effective action, and the role of academia.
23.11.2023 09:45 – 10:45
Main Auditory
This high panel, moderated by Prof. Dr. Andreas Haarstrick debates the topic “Tackling the Global Climate and Water Crisis – Consistent policy, effective action, and the role of academia”.
Three decades after the Rio Summit, there have been notable improvements in the global water situation across certain regions. Nevertheless, the critical water situation has massively intensified in many areas due to the needs and impacts caused by rapidly growing populations and ongoing industrialization, arbitrary and unregulated exploitation of nature, and the exacerbating effects of advanced climate change.
The message emerging from many scientific reports delivered by water experts around the world is a serious one and underlies the urgency to adapt and prepare for a water crisis that is highly likely to occur. The exploitation of nature and ongoing climate change are reinforcing factors, triggering irreversible processes, and destroying sensitive natural balances – of which biodiversity is the basis. The much-discussed tipping points will with high probability be reached by 2050, if mankind continues as before (business as usual).
Through the participation of representatives from academia, development cooperation, government and business, the organizers are bringing together fundamental expertise to discuss questions such as (1) How can we still come to effective, sustainable solutions given the rapidly changing environmental conditions, caused by thoughtless, inconsiderate and profit-led human interventions in nature? or (2) What measures need to be taken quickly as a priority, and what role do academia, politics, business and society play to move away from this destructive to a sustainable and intelligent course of action?
| Andreas Haarstrick (Moderator) | Professor for Bioprocess Engineering Leichtweiß Institut at the TU Braunschweig |
| Christian Birkel | Water and Global Change Observatory University of Costa Rica |
| Lars Ribbe | Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) at the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences |
| Diana Ulloa | Red Agua Ecuador |
| Andrés Martínez Moscoso | Director de Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas Universidad San Francisco de Quito |
| Victor Shinde | Head Climate Centre for Cities National Institute of Urban Affairs Core 4B, India Habitat Centre |