Previously, we have defined water scarcity and looked at the example of India. Here, we will form a research group to tackle this issue from a transdisciplinary approach.
Why take a transdisciplinary approach?
Transdisciplinary research focuses on integrating different disciplines together, whilst working with key stakeholders to produce research that has a lot of impact and significance. This allows for a more holistic view on a concept or issue, such as water scarcity, due to the multiple perspectives and ideas that will be produced. This is important as water scarcity is not just a physical or human problem. It is the product of climate, politics, geology etc. Thus, water scarcity is a complex issue that needs to be researched from many angles!
Let’s form a list of stakeholders who should be in the research group:
1) Different sectors (agriculture and industry): From looking at figure 2, we can see that there is a complex relationship (a nexus) between water, energy and food. These sectors all interlink and impact each other. For example, if water consumption in the food industry increases, then it decreases available water for the energy industry. If 55% more water is needed by 2050 to meet the demand of 10 billion people, then serious conversations need to be undertaken between these sectors, to ensure sustainable and equitable use under the threat of climate change!
2) Environmental NGO’s: WWF and Greenpeace aim to preserve nature, but ensure that people can still thrive and grow. They should be included in the research group, as they campaign about environmental problems such as water scarcity. They understand how the environment works and can provide excellent input on ensuring environmental sustainability when forming management plans.
3) United Nations: The UN should partake in the research since they have created Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Water and sanitation for all. By 2030, it aims to achieve universal access to freshwater. However, from what we have seen, the impacts of climate change are significant and it could delay the success of meeting the goal! Hence, maybe the goals have to be refined, or maybe more stress should be put on governments to achieve this goal.
4) World’s population: Since people are going to be most affected by water scarcity, they should also be a part of the research. It is important to understand local diets, and the cultural significance of water sources and systems, so that a more socially sustainable solution can be formed to manage water scarcity.
At the end of the day, efforts need to be made to reduce climate change itself, so that the negative impacts such as water scarcity can be made smaller.
It is no use tackling water scarcity if the root problem itself is not properly addressed!
We’ve created an ideal research group to undertake tackle water scarcity. But, It is now about playing your part in helping reduce water scarcity by signing this pledge.
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