That was the message of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, during his recent official visit to Salt Lake City in Utah, USA, where he met with senior state officials, students and scholars, as well as members of the local community.
Migration due to climate change
Mr. Kőrösi stated: “There are commonalities because the whole world is facing a water crisis, caused by climate change and changes in our water cycle.”
"I don't want to scare anyone, but if we don't solve the water management crisis, in the next 60 to 70 years, hundreds of millions of people will be displaced," Kőrösi warned.
Senior UN officials are calling for support for a global water information system, created as part of the UN system. A new study published in the American journal Science shows that climate change is the main factor leading to the shrinking of more than half of the world's large lakes and reservoirs since the 1990s.
This is one of nine factors that significantly influenced the final outcome, as agreed upon at the United Nations Water Conference held in New York (USA) in March 2023. These nine factors include: Integrating water and climate policies at national and global levels; an early warning system for all; separating agriculture , energy production, and water; accurate water pricing; a global water education network; supporting cross-border cooperation; creating a unified water architecture managed by a Special Envoy with an independent scientific advisory board; and follow-up actions to the United Nations Water Conference.
Offer balanced and long-term solutions.
The President of the United Nations General Assembly made the request after meeting with water experts from the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Utah is currently experiencing its 23rd drought year due to climate change, with severe consequences for the Colorado River and the Great Salt Lake, the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere.
While higher air temperatures lead to more rainfall, heat also means more evaporation, as dry soil cannot absorb water.
Utah, already suffering from drought, is now facing flooding following historic rainfall and snowfall in early spring. Adding to the problem is the fact that the management of the Colorado River system, as defined in the 1922 Colorado River Treaty—which empowered two states and seven countries and regulated water levels—is no longer feasible due to climate change and overuse.
Local officials said they are focusing on “long-term, balanced solutions,” with discussions involving agricultural use, water treatment and reuse, and promoting water conservation through legal and public information tools.
Mr. Kőrösi also addressed sustainable development in mountainous areas, a topic highlighted in the UN Secretary-General's 2022 report. Representatives from rural communities emphasized that one of the challenges is the limited social development and inclusion, exacerbated by lockdowns and power outages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alitha Thompson, who lives in the rural Gunnison Valley, believes that policies need to consider everyone. “Just because you’re different doesn’t mean you’re wrong. People’s voices need to be heard,” she emphasized.
According to Thompson, about one-third of Utah's population lives in mountainous areas; some communities experience levels of poverty more prevalent in developing countries.
Source
Comment (0)