Water
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As the population continues to grow and as water becomes more and more an issue of political and social importance, well-managed safe drinking water and water quality are pervasive needs across Earth and environment. We are developing new interdisciplinary science, technology and policy to address these urgent issues.
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Item Impacts of climate change on water-related mosquito-borne diseases in temperate regions: A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis(Elsevier, 2024-07-14) Gizaw, Zemichael; Salubi, Eunice; Pietroniro, Alain; Schuster Wallace, CorinneMosquito-borne diseases are a known tropical phenomenon. This review was conducted to assess the mecha-nisms through which climate change impacts mosquito-borne diseases in temperate regions. Articles were searched from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Identification criteria were scope (climate change and mosquito-borne diseases), region (temperate), article type (peer-reviewed), publication language (English), and publication years (since 2015). The WWH (who, what, how) framework was applied to develop the research question and thematic analyses identified the mechanisms through which climate change affects mosquito-borne diseases. While temperature ranges for disease transmission vary per mosquito species, all are viable for temperate regions, particularly given projected temperature increases. Zika, chikungunya, and dengue transmission occurs between 18–34 °C (peak at 26–29 °C). West Nile virus establishment occurs at monthly average temperatures between 14–34.3 °C (peak at 23.7–25 °C). Malaria establishment occurs when the consecutive average daily temperatures are above 16 °C until the sum is above 210 °C. The identified mechanisms through which climate change affects the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases in temperate regions include: changes in the development of vectors and pathogens; changes in mosquito habitats; extended transmission seasons; changes in geographic spread; changes in abundance and behaviors of hosts; reduced abundance of mosquito predators; interruptions to control operations; and influence on other non-climate factors. Process and stochastic approaches as well as dynamic and spatial models exist to predict mosquito population dynamics, disease transmission, and climate favorability. Future projections based on the observed relations between climate factors and mosquito-borne diseases suggest that mosquito-borne disease expansion is likely to occur in temperate regions due to climate change. While West Nile virus is already established in some temperate regions, Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and malaria are also likely to become established over time. Moving forward, more research is required to model future risks by incorporating climate, environmental, sociodemographic, and mosquito-related factors under changing climates.Item Protecting and Managing Water Quality for Health(Taylor and Francis, 2012) Schuster Wallace, CorinneWhile the MDG target for access to improved water supply has been met, questions still exist around the potability and sustainability of those supplies. Moreover, the sanitation target is still unlikely to be met. In order to mitigate water-related health impacts, both now and post-MDGs, it is necessary to co-ordinate community interventions, focussing not only on water quantity and access, but water quality, sanitation/wastewater treatment and source water protection. While some interventions are technological, we need to invest more money and time in enhancing capacity, providing information and empowering communities to take ownership.Item Safe Water as the Key to Global Health(United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), 2008) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Grover, Velma I.; Adeel, Zafar; Confalonieri, Ulisses E. C.; Elliott, Susan J.We have great choices available to us for managing our water resources, treating water for drinking purposes, using innovative financing approaches to generate capital, protecting our ecosystems, and motivating communities to actively participate in these processes. And yet, there remains an almost insurmountable chasm between our self professed targets – such as those entwined in the various Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – and the reality of a large number of people without a safe water source or an adequate sanitation system. Numerous statistics, such as those presented in this report, highlight the consequences for communities in developing countries as a result of non-provision of these very fundamental human needs. Lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly amongst children. Indirect and adverse consequences on education levels, nutrition and economy are also documented quite effectively. More recently, the benefits of water and sanitation provision have also been quantified. This measurement can be made in terms of improved well-being of people and communities, reduction in public health costs, and catalysis for local economic growth. Such benefits accrue in perpetuity and can potentially lift communities out of poverty and misery. And yet, global and national commitments to meet these challenges are far from adequate. This report explores why that is the case and how we can change the situation. Such change comes in two parts: First, we need to effectively change public and political perceptions of the nature of the problem, identify the stumbling blocks in responding effectively, and articulate the consequences of failure. Second, we need to mobilize human, technological and managerial resources that match the magnitude of the crisis. It is very important that we aim high. That is, the target should be to provide appropriate and sustainable supply of safe water and adequate sanitation to everyone. We believe that such a target is achievable by the year 2025, if we accept MDGs as a stepping stone and the year 2015 as a mid-term milestone. The first step in this direction must to be strengthen the capacity of developing countries, with the explicit aim of achieving 100% coverage. Such capacity should include human and technological development, but must also focus on nurturing institutions that can absorb and retain it. Over time, these institutions can enrich managerial skills as well. The second major step is to initiate out-of-the-box thinking on resource mobilization. Two roadblocks must be surpassed to achieve this. First, we have to accept that national governments in developing countries will likely never have sufficient resources at their disposal, even when counting the meagre overseas development aid; accepting this reality then opens up the door to considering real innovations. Second, some of the resources from the private sector must be engaged. Some bad experiences in privatization of public utilities and a general mistrust of potential profiteering by the private sector have led to effectively closing the door on this option. In the same vein, many community groups and civil society organizations need to re-think and shift their positions to better serve the public interest. A number of other processes also have to be triggered to achieve success. Greater mobilization of public opinion can lead to both better actions at the local level and improved steering of national political agenda. Previous examples of such interaction, like eradication of polio through community-centered, nationally-driven vaccination schemes, demonstrate that it is achievable. Greater cohesion in policies and a universal inclusion of water and sanitation provision in national development planning are the key elements to success. Examples in many developing countries, notably Madagascar, have demonstrated that political interests and public well-being converge very well when dealing with water and sanitation issues We also need to provide politicians and policymakers with the knowledge and tools essential for guiding policies in their own domain. We, at UNU-INWEH, are striving to develop such tools in close cooperation with our partners. Development of a global map of communities that are vulnerable to water-related diseases and a worldwide knowledge base of cheap, safe water provisioning options are two such initiatives. I hope that the ideas presented in this report help bring about the necessary changes in thinking, and the urgency to respond to this global crisis is driven home. This report is one step in an on-going dialogue on finding effective ways to move towards our ultimate goal – provision of safe water and adequate sanitation to every woman, man and child on this earth. Dr. Zafar Adeel Director UNU-INWEH 18 September 2008Item Putting Water and Energy at the Heart of Sustainable Development(UNU-INWEH, 2015) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Qadir, Manzoor; Adeel, Zafar; Renaud, Fabrice G.; Dickin, Sarah K.Water for energy; energy for water — as independent sectors and through their inextricable linkages, water and energy are key drivers of economic growth and social development. Benefits include poverty reduction, improvements in health and education, and a reduction in inequalities. Together, water and energy can promote stable societies and human dignity as well as realize basic human rights. Optimizing performance within the Water-Energy Nexus can increase energy efficiency, decrease water pollution, reduce costs of energy and water provision, increase access to services, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The effective deployment of renewable energy resources around the world can be a stabilizing driver within the context of fossil fuel availability and climate change. Hydropower, as a renewable and stable energy source is the epitome of nexus thinking, yet requires stable water supplies. Significant advances are required in policy, research, and practice to realize the nexus. The global challenges of climate change and food security create points of tension in the water-energy nexus which will have to be overcome in order to achieve development synergies. These challenges are exacerbated by population growth and urbanization, which create a dynamic baseline against which to address service access. In addition to some tensions in the nexus, the water and energy sectors are currently asymmetrical with respect to size and scale, and are often in competition with each other for capital investments and development resources. Diversification of energy sources and decentralization of water and wastewater services require policy prioritization, technology mobilization, and investment shifts. Economic tools, such as pricing, subsidies, and other incentives can motivate decentralized renewable energy generation. The private sector is an essential partner in the water-energy nexus and needs to be supported by an integrated and coherent policy approach — one that would enhance in- and cross-sector efficiencies and improve sector interfaces. New technology development must be supported and incubated, especially to address emerging challenges at the water-energy nexus. However, technology is only part of sustainable solutions; changing public opinion and behaviour is essential for long-term uptake. A dedicated water goal in the post-2015 development agenda, with key interlinked targets in the energy goal, is essential to achieving a sustainable future. The nexus will only be realized through capital mobilization around an integrated development agenda and synergistic actions. Once mobilized, sustained success will require joint accountability.Item Protecting and Managing Water Quality for Health(Taylor and Francis Group, 2011) Schuster Wallace, CorinneWhile the MDG target for access to improved water supply has been met, questions still exist around the potability and sustainability of those supplies. Moreover, the sanitation target is still unlikely to be met. In order to mitigate water-related health impacts, both now and post-MDGs, it is necessary to co-ordinate community interventions, focusing not only on water quantity and access, but water quality, sanitation/wastewater treatment and source water protection. While some interventions are technological, we need to invest more money and time in enhancing capacity, providing information and empowering communities to take ownership.Item Charting a Pathway for Water Security and Resilience(International Conference on Sustainable Development, 2016) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Sandford, R.W.; Raleigh, R.; Watt, Susan; Sklar, ColleenThe world is facing an escalating water crisis of quantity, quality, distribution, and allocation. Essential for life and a fundamental engine for economic growth, water is foundational to sustaining the world as we know it. Increasing frequency, magnitude, and extent of water-related natural and human-induced disasters including floods, loss of large freshwater lakes, and oil spills are not only threatening human wellbeing and economic growth, but social development and political stability even in high income countries. Patchwork remediation has failed; business as usual is no longer possible. Successfully addressing sustainable development challenges requires not only resources, but also massive behaviour changes that must occur at the level of governments, economies, and individuals. These changes require resilience on the part of all. We posit that resilience requires good growth, supportive governance, and community stewardship in order to be sustainable. This can be achieved and maintained through innovative engagement of the private sector in community investment strategies. The key lies in innovating technological and social change while aligning stewardship with the marketplace in order to foster awareness and behavioral change. Our solution plots a path towards sustainable water security and resilience through the Realising Action for Community Transformations (ReACT) implementation framework that is predicated on assessment, iterative learning, evidence-informed decision making, and an innovative approach to behaviour change - the PathSight Model. This private sector marketing model uses complex, big data sets combined with social sciences and technology to influence behaviour and impact outcomes. Integrating this model into the framework creates an innovative approach to sustainable water development and management through the use of science to inform and framing of causes that inspire, in order to engage the populace in necessary and sufficient behavioral transformations. Framework application is ongoing in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, Manitoba, Canada, where negative impacts on water resources appear to be occurring at ever increasing rates. Specific water-related threats to environmental, agricultural, political, and economic resilience in the province include floods and large scale eutrophication. Lake Winnipeg is threatened with ecosystem collapse and consecutive billion-dollar, one in 100 year floods have emptied provincial coffers and resulted in unpopular policy decisions that led to resignation of high level politicians and defeat of the longstanding government. Using an integrated PathSight framework the Lake Winnipeg problem is being reframed and re-distributed across a broader group of actors who may not have previously identified with either the problem or the solution(s). In this manner, politicians, private sector, and citizens are starting to articulate what they can do individually and together. In creating and mobilising a trans-sectoral, multi-stakeholder, multi-dimensional entity to bear on solving the Lake Winnipeg challenge, opportunities for shared governance, policy alignment, and grassroots action are emerging.Item Doing Development Differently: Bridging Policy, Practice, and Research for WaSH and Wellbeing(UNU-INWEH, 2015) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Watt, Susan; Cave, Kate; Mehta, PraemAt the dawn of a new millennium, world leaders came together in an unprecedented move and committed to a new global agenda to alleviate poverty and improve the wellbeing of the world’s poorest populations. Despite good intentions and significant progress on many fronts, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) failed to achieve many anticipated targets. Moreover, targets that were ostensibly met globally still left many behind. Entrenched views on aid, investments in development, and profit maximisation have not achieved global, regional, and national development goals. Most off-track countries for MDG targets are in Sub-Saharan Africa where there are clear inequalities in access, including rural communities, indigenous populations, women and girls, and those with physical impairments. Aid structure and policies must be redefined to recognise the urgency of this situation. This report is the culmination of an initiative that brought together international experts from a variety of sectors to engage in a dialogue concerning water and related health issues faced by rural, remote, and indigenous communities. In examining health and wellness from a transdisciplinary perspective, we were able to build upon the knowledge that has been developed and to identify opportunities to translate that knowledge into policies that work. The main objectives were to: 1. Build networks between sectors; 2. Exchange lessons between researchers and implementers; 3. Exchange lessons between developed and developing regions; 4. Broaden the range of evidence used for decision making; and, 5. Contribute evidence for sustaining and up-scaling appropriate interventions. It is argued herein that, within the context of mounting global pressures and stresses and a global dialogue on the agreed upon 2030 sustainable development agenda, it is appropriate to reflect on innovations that could drive a new development paradigm in support of more holistic economic and social development linked to environmental integrity. More specifically, one of the lessons to be learned is that it is the processes of development that require attention if we are to achieve a world of equity and sustainability. In other words, we need to navigate the space and harness the strengths of the policy, practice, and research interactions. This has to be accomplished in a manner that is transdisciplinary and trans sectoral, and which involves stakeholders in transparent and positive solutions. This latter point is extremely important, as many processes discussed within this document can be harnessed for good or bad intentions. The purpose of this document is to highlight development challenges, particularly as they relate to the processes of development in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) sector, and put forward our understanding of how policy, practice, and research could be used co-operatively to achieve sustainable development through a multi-sectoral response. The report begins to identify the critical junctures at which policy, practice, and research must intersect to coherently deliver effective and appropriate WaSH. We propose a new model for doing development differently.Item Mapping Global Vulnerability to Dengue using the Water Associated Disease Index(UNU-INWEH, 2014) Fullerton, Laura M.; Dickin, Sarah K.; Schuster Wallace, CorinneWater-associated diseases, such as cholera, dengue, and schistosomiasis, threaten the health and wellbeing of billions worldwide. They are most prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical regions, and are spread through contact with contaminated water or exposure to disease-carrying vectors (such as mosquitoes) that depend upon water to survive. Exacerbated by poor water and waste management, rapid urbanization, high population density, and changing climate conditions, water associated diseases are of increasing concern in a rapidly changing and increasingly globalized world. With limited resources to treat or combat the spread of water-associated disease in many endemic regions, preventative interventions must be appropriately targeted and timed to maximize their efficacy. This requires accurate identification of regions most vulnerable to disease, and the timely delivery of interventions to prevent, mitigate, and manage disease in these regions. In this report, we apply the Water Associated Disease Index (WADI) to calculate and visually communicate vulnerability to dengue on a global scale. While a number of tools exist to measure vulnerability to disease, most focus on when and where environmental conditions are optimal for an outbreak to occur, with little or no consideration of the role social determinants play in shaping vulnerability. As with any disease, we believe that vulnerability is shaped by a diverse range of environmental and social conditions. With this in mind, the WADI was developed to assess vulnerability by integrating disease specific measures of environmental exposure (i.e., temperature, precipitation, land cover etc.) with disease-specific measures of social susceptibility (i.e., life expectancy, educational attainment, access to healthcare etc.) to provide a holistic picture of vulnerability to disease. The WADI is a practical disease-specific tool for assessing vulnerability at a range of different spatial and temporal scales using publicly available data. It provides a new way of conceptualizing and communicating vulnerability to disease and, in this instance, demonstrates clear patterns of dengue vulnerability and how these may change over time. It is our hope that the WADI will be used to inform mid- to long-term allocation of resources to reduce or eradicate the burden of water associated disease.Item DEHCHO - GREAT RIVER: The State of Science in the Mackenzie Basin (1960-1985)(UNU-INWEH, 2016) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Cave, Kate; Metcalfe, ChrisThe Mackenzie Basin is a unique eco-hydrological zone, a vast store of natural resources, and home to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Historically, the Basin has been the subject of political controversy, protection, exploitation, and research in the natural and social sciences. While the Basin’s future is unknown, there are real risks that records documenting past conditions in the Basin will be lost. The goal of this project was to seek out historical documents and data pertaining to the quality of water in the Mackenzie Basin between 1960 and 1985. This initiative, sponsored by The Gordon Foundation, proved to be very timely because of cuts to federal libraries that resulted in the boxing up of large numbers of federal reports and other relevant documents. UNU-INWEH sourced thousands of references from various online databases and private collections. However, hard copies of documents were much more difficult to obtain. While librarians in public libraries and universities were extremely helpful, some documents were stored in locations where access is limited. Other documents could only be ordered through interlibrary loans, which are subject to a maximum number per request and a loan period of two weeks. Thus, the time to source even a small number of documents was in the order of months. There were fortunate developments that mitigated the slow erosion of historical documents. Retiring federal scientists and university professors with personal collections were willing to donate documents in the hope that they would be put to good use and kept safe. This project sheds some light on the importance of historical documents. Trends in development can be aligned with patterns in water quality. Impacts predicted 40 years ago can be evaluated against what actually occurred. On the other hand, some calls for action appear to have gone unheeded. For instance, proposals to develop monitoring programs in the Basin are still being heard more than 40 years after these data gaps were originally recognized. UNU-INWEH feels fortunate to have been involved in this project and to have had an opportunity to evaluate documentation that may have been otherwise lost.Item “Is there anything good about a water advisory?”: an exploration of the consequences of drinking water advisories in an indigenous community(BMC, 2020) Lucier, Kayla J.; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Skead, Derek; Skead, Kathleen; Dickson-Anderson, Sarah E.Abstract: Background In Ontario, Canada, Indigenous communities experience some of the province’s worst drinking water, with issues ranging from deteriorating water quality to regulatory problems and lack of support. When water is known, or suspected, to be unsafe for human consumption, communities are placed under a Drinking Water Advisory. Between 2004 and 2013, approximately 70% of all on-reserve communities in Ontario were under at least one Drinking Water Advisory. Despite the widespread impact of Drinking Water Advisories on health and wellbeing, little is known about First Nation individuals’ perceptions and experiences living with a Drinking Water Advisory. This study presents information shared by members of a community who have lived with Boil Water Advisories on and off for many years, and a long-term Boil Water Advisory since 2017. The goal of this paper is to unpack and explore the Boil Water Advisories from the perspective of community members and provide considerations for current and future Boil Water Advisory management. Methods Methodological choices were driven by the principles of community-based participatory research. Two data collection methodologies were employed: hard copy surveys and interviews. Results Forty-four individuals (19.5%) completed a survey. Eight Elders and 16 key informants participated in 20 interviews. Respondents expressed varying degrees of uncertainty regarding protective actions to take while under a Boil Water Advisory. Further, 79% of men but only 46% of women indicated they always adhere to the Boil Water Advisory. Knowledge gaps that could lead to risky behaviours were also identified. Finally, Boil Water Advisories were demonstrated to have physical, financial, and time impacts on the majority of respondents. Conclusions A direct outcome was the identification of a critical need to reinforce best practices for health protection through community education and outreach. More broadly, Chief and Council were able to use the findings to successfully advocate for improved drinking water for the community. Additionally, benefits of participatory research and community ownership include enhanced local research capacity, and increased awareness of, and desire for, research to inform decisions.Item Developing a Vulnerability Mapping Methodology: Applying the Water-Associated Disease Index to Dengue in Malaysia(Public Library of Science, 2013-05) Dickin, Sarah K.; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Elliott, Susan J.The Water-associated Disease Index (WADI) was developed to identify and visualize vulnerability to different water associated diseases by integrating a range of social and biophysical determinants in map format. In this study vulnerability is used to encompass conditions of exposure, susceptibility, and differential coping capacity to a water-associated health hazard. By assessing these conditions, the tool is designed to provide stakeholders with an integrated and long-term understanding of subnational vulnerabilities to water-associated disease and contribute to intervention strategies to reduce the burden of illness. The objective of this paper is to describe and validate the WADI tool by applying it to dengue. A systemic eco health framework that considers links between people, the environment and health was applied to identify secondary datasets, populating the index with components including climate conditions, land cover, education status and water use practices. Data were aggregated to create composite indicators of exposure and of susceptibility in a Geographic Information System (GIS). These indicators were weighted by their contribution to dengue vulnerability, and the output consisted of an overall index visualized in map format. The WADI was validated in this Malaysia case study, demonstrating a significant association with dengue rates at a sub-national level, and illustrating a range of factors that drive vulnerability to the disease within the country. The index output indicated high vulnerability to dengue in urban areas, especially in the capital Kuala Lumpur and surrounding region. However, in other regions, vulnerability to dengue varied throughout the year due to the influence of seasonal climate conditions, such as monsoon patterns. The WADI tool complements early warning models for water-associated disease by providing upstream information for planning prevention and control approaches, which increasingly require a comprehensive and geographically broad understanding of vulnerability for implementation.Item Hypoxia and Nutrient Reduction in the Coastal Zone. Advice for Prevention, Remediation and Research(UNEP, 2011-09) Williams, Meryl; Harper, Nicole; Chaitovitz, Chuck; Dansie, Andrew; Diaz, Robert; Harper, Nicole; Heidemeier, Joachim; Jiang, Yihang; Kemp, Michael; Naqvi, SWA; Neretin, Lev; Ross, Adrian; Susan, Christian; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Zavadksy, IvanReported cases of coastal hypoxia or low oxygen areas have doubled in each of the last four decades, threatening global environment benefits in most of the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) in which GEF supports programs. GEF requested STAP to review the scientific evidence on coastal hypoxia and advise how to address the issue, beyond current actions. This STAP Advisory Document is based on a review of the scientific evidence, and scientific and management expert consultations. It has been reviewed by subject matter experts, the GEF Secretariat, the GEF International Waters Task Force and GEF agencies. STAP concludes that the growing problem of coastal hypoxia requires accelerated GEF attention. Hypoxia is caused by eutrophication, i.e., the overloading of waters with nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon and/or organic matter. Coastal areas are suffering from accelerating nutrient pollution from multiple sources including agriculture and livestock production, sewage and industrial waste, plus additional complex temperature and water exchange impacts from climate change. Nutrient effects on water oxygen levels are exacerbated when local water bodies become stratified and mixing, and thus oxygenation, of layers is prevented. Hypoxia remediation is possible by reducing eutrophication through systematically reducing nutrient pollution from the most significant local sources. Nutrient reduction also brings multiple ecosystem benefits such as improved water quality, biodiversity, healthier fish stocks, aquaculture improvement and fewer algal blooms. The GEF and its development partners have already invested in substantial nutrient reduction efforts, with measurable success in the longer running European projects. To address accelerating coastal hypoxia, GEF and its development partners should urgently increase their support to nutrient reduction projects, building on GEF’s experience and leadership. Coastal hypoxia and its causes are multi-focal area issues. GEF-International Waters is the lead focal area but hypoxia also concerns Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Climate Change and is an issue in which most GEF agencies have a role. This Advisory Document describes the need for integrated approaches and the specific roles for each GEF agency, and for international, national and local governments and industries. Not all cases of coastal hypoxia are amenable to easy remediation. Where hypoxia originates primarily from the combined effects of larger scale ocean circulation events and climate change, local land based interventions will have limited impact. Intervention areas should be selected based on their expected potential for prevention or remediation and progress should be monitored. GEF should establish principles for supporting priority systems in which to test management responses to permanent and seasonal hypoxic systems. Priority should be given to east and south Asia where the largest increase in the number of hypoxic areas is expected. Most of the GEF LME projects in advanced stages of implementation have reported coastal hypoxic areas matching those in the most comprehensive scientific database.1 To assist projects, GEF guidance for International Waters Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Programs should include new tools on how to address hypoxia and nutrient reduction. Existing LME projects should examine the current knowledge on coastal hypoxia and establish monitoring, prevention and remediation programs if these are not already underway. To assist new projects, GEF should support the development of a Hypoxia Toolkit, similar to the Persistent Organic Pollutants Toolkit (www.popstoolkit.com), and integrate into the project screening process a hypoxia screening tool that should be made available on the GEF IW:Learn project website. Coastal hypoxia is a complex problem and, although research has made great strides in understanding its causes and remedies, more knowledge is needed to fill critical gaps that impede action. Prevention and remediation of hypoxia must be based on realistic expectations for success. We recommend that GEF agencies develop proposals along with selected targeted research initiatives to fill critical action and knowledge gaps and to guide GEF LME projects, within the overarching framework of global nitrogen cycle disruption.Item Ecotourism: Reinforcing Local Demand for a "Waste to Wealth" Approach to Sanitation(UNU-INWEH, 2015) Cave, Kate; Heikoop, Bernhard; QUILLÉROU, Emmanuelle; Schuster Wallace, CorinneEcotourism was originally developed out of a joint demand from tourists for improved rural development and nature conservation, with a strong preference for benefits falling onto local communities. In Uganda, the policy base and social network of the ecotourism sector is young, yet provides a promising and solid foundation for rapid development. Adequate sanitation facilities are key for a pleasurable (eco)tourist experience, both in terms of personal use and cleanliness of the environment in which they are staying. In turn, (eco)tourists increase the volume of waste generated and collected and therefore increase the volume of positive waste management by-products generated (energy and fertilizer). These by-products can be used to support local tourism for cooking and lighting (energy) and for increased food production (fertilizer). This report outlines the potential synergies between the development of an anaerobic digestion sector and the ecotourism sector for the delivery of sustainable sanitation, rural development and conservation, as well as realization of social, environmental and economic benefits. These physical and economic links demonstrate an opportunity for communities to build upon such synergies, create development opportunities and scale up sustainable sanitation, provided an enabling environment at the national and the regional levels. There is a definite potential to exploit synergies between the ecotourism and sanitation sectors through an ecotourism-sanitation nexus in Uganda. The establishment of communityowned and -run businesses has the potential to multiply benefits derived by the local communities as well as the overall economy from the nexus.Item Critical elements for local Indigenous water security in Canada: a narrative review(IWA Publishing, 2018) Latchmore, Tessa; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Longboat, Dan Roronhiakewen; Dickson-Anderson, Sarah E.; Majury, AnnaIndigenous communities in Canada are over-represented with respect to poor water quality and water advisories. To date, approaches to solve this water crisis have been founded in the Western Science (WS) context with little to no consultation or dialogue with those communities most impacted, and without regard for culture. A literature review was undertaken to: (i) document Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and perspectives regarding water and (ii) to identify current local water security tools utilized by Indigenous communities. The aim is to provide sound evidence regarding the value of ownership and leadership by Indigenous communities in the context of current and appropriate resources available to (re)claim these roles. Solutions must remain consistent with, and founded upon, traditional Indigenous worldviews and cultural values to ensure sustainable water security. Literature reviewed from the past ten years revealed one overarching creation theme with three water-specific themes in Indigenous communities; namely, water from natural sources, water as a life-giving entity, and water and gender. Ultimately, there needs to be a new framing of local water security with the development of tools which engage IK and WS in order to assess local water security and appropriately inform interventions, policies, regulations and legislation.Item Assessment of Water SDG Proposals against Principles for SDGs(UNU-INWEH, 2013) Adeel, Zafar; Bullock, Andrew; Chaudry, M. A.; Kuylenstierna, Johan; Qadir, Manzoor; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Weitz, NinaThis document complements the report “Catalyzing Water for Sustainable Development and Growth. Framing Water within the Post 2015 Agenda: Options and Considerations” (Available from: http://inweh.unu.edu/water-sustainability). It outlines the assessment of three clusters of water SDG proposals against four outcome-based and four attribute-based principles, which SDGs should meet.Item Catalyzing water for sustainable Development and growth(UNU-INWEH, 2013) Adeel, Zafar; Bullock, Andrew; Chaudry, M. A.; Kuylenstierna, Johan; Qadir, Manzoor; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Weitz, NinaThe international community has invested considerably in discussing and defining the global development agenda after 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will reach their maturity date. The underlying debate was kicked off in earnest at Rio, where the world leaders gathered in June 2012 to inter alia discuss the outlines and framework of that development agenda. The outcome of the dialogue at Rio, encapsulated in the document “The Future We Want,” included elements of social development, environmental integrity and economic growth. Water, as both a resource and a human right, figured centrally in this document. As the dialogue and efforts further intensified since the Rio Summit to converge on the global framework for a post-2015 development agenda, it also became apparent that the evidence base for comparatively assessing various development scenarios was largely absent. This indeed was the case for the discussion around issues related to drinking water, sanitation, water resources management and water quality. It is apparent that some ambiguity exists around whether water should be identified as a stand-alone issue area, or considering its significance in various sectors and fields of development, should appear in all of them in an integrated manner. In recent years, there has been considerable debate in the international community about understanding the nexus between water, energy and food security; while some interesting approaches have emerged from that discussion, implementation of this concept through sector-focused government agencies and various stakeholders remains a challenge. This report is an independent evidence-based analysis of how water can be addressed in a developing agenda beyond 2015. Its formulation, and the underlying study, was undertaken by UNOSD, UNU-INWEH and SEI as a way of addressing the information gaps and providing background information that can be used by the UN member states and other stakeholders in negotiations. The overall goal of this report is to draw attention to the complexities of water as a resource and a human right, and the challenges associated in implementing the various formulations of Sustainable Development Goals related to water. The report takes stock of how water figured in the MDGs and the key lessons we can learn about how to improve the response of the international community to the global water challenges. It uses this analysis to offer a forward-looking assessment of the various models of incorporating water in the post-2015 development agenda. It is obvious that significant investments are needed to meet the water-related challenges; the report gives the first ballpark-estimates of these investments. It also highlights the fact that these investments are not just needed by developing countries but, in fact, by all countries. Developed countries will need to provide significant new investments in near future to replace aging infrastructure and support urban sprawl. Emerging studies point to the consideration that decentralization, social media, and novel ways to raise capital should be used to empower local populations to create their own solutions. This report has made us realize that more concerted efforts at all levels are required to create the enabling environment necessary to implement solutions and that such efforts will have to be broader than just dealing directly with water issues. Transparent and accountable governance will have to support all aspects of a sustainable planet. As we approach some planetary tipping points, and resulting irreversible changes, innovative perspectives and paradigm shifts are necessary. This report is meant to enable that process. We look forward to engaging with the UN member states and other stakeholders in order to discuss its findings and address emerging issues through future studies.Item A Micro Financing Framework for Rural Water and Sanitation provisioning in Sub-Saharan Africa(UNU-INWEH, 2014) Mengueze, Sandrine; Mbuvi, Dorcas; Dickin, Sarah; Schuster Wallace, CorinneAcross rural regions in particular, inadequate access to water supply and sanitation (WSS) services negatively affects women more than men. Women and girls are twice as likely as men (and boys) to bear the burden of water collection that requires walking long distances in search of improved sources. Collecting and carrying large amounts of water is physically demanding and limits time available to pursue educational, professional and leisure activities. Indeed, women lose about forty billion hours each year in daily water collection in SSA - time that could be redirected towards other socio-economic and productive activities. Moreover, women and girls risk physical and sexual assualt when collecting water or trying to find a dignified location to relieve themselves. Given the need for sustainable access to WSS in rural Sub Saharan Africa for improved quality of life, universal access becomes a moral and practical imperative. Water is necessary for health, food production, economic activities and environmental integrity. In order to attain national water supply and sanitation (WSS) Millennium Development Goal targets by 2015, developing country governments need to advance their rural WSS services coverage. In Sub Saharan Africa in particular, scaling up functional, quality, reliable and affordable WSS facilities among rural populations is a significant impediment. Moreover, in most cases rural households find it difficult to raise up-front capital that is often required for the construction of facilities. Self-sustaining micro financed facilities can be realized for equitable and safe rural WSS provision. A systematic model through which sustainable rural WSS-related micro financing can be attained is currently lacking. Self-supply, while contested with respect to issues of responsibility, is a feasible option given that there is money to be made in service delivery and the fact that many rural families pay considerably more for their drinking water through informal water providers, without any guarantee of quality. This does not have to undermine government responsibility for provision; rather accelerate the scale up and out of rural access and put community-based mechanisms in place for sustainable interventions that can be incorporated into national WSS strategies as they become established. Moreover, it overcomes the primary challenge in self-supply – that of up front funds for infrastructure. Given that key principles of successful microfinance (including shared solidarity and mutual accountability, access to capital, capacity development and ownership) are similar to and supportive of the principles of sustainable WSS interventions (community engagement and ownership, capacity development, financial accountability), it makes sense to explore this as a mechanism for self-supply in rural settings in order to increase access in a timely manner. A co-operative microfinance framework would potentially share the financial and social costs and benefits between communities and governments. Many of the benefits that accrue through WSS access are realized by the community (through increased health, school attendance and time savings) and the government (through reduction in requirements for other services, such as healthcare, and improved productivity that supports national growth). The framework demands active and coordinated government support through specific related ministries (water and sanitation, health, finance, rural development, public works, etc.). It relies on continued village demand for improved WSS facilities and willingness to effectively engage in the revolving RoSCA schemes. Additionally, it is founded on clear division of responsibilities among four main stakeholders for the transparent and accountable operationalization of interventions. The revenue generated, in addition to paying for the operation and maintenance of the system(s) can be used to acquire or expand additional basic household services. As a result, co-operative members are able to engage in other water and non-water related entrepreneurial activities, to add on to the WSS-fund and strengthen the local economy more generally. However, the framework is flexible and not limited to WSS provisioning.Item Water Futures for the World We Want(University of Saskatchewan, 2019) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Sandford, Robert William; Merrill, SExecutive Summary Achievement of Goal 6 is central to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Agenda The global water cycle literally floods the earth on a seasonal basis. Global warming and subsequent climate change is affecting this seasonal redistribution as well as the form in which water falls from the sky – as rain, snow, or ice. The world is aware that water can increasingly be loved or loathed: it is critical for existence of life and central to our quality of life, while also being responsible for poor health and death from waterborne diseases. Its absence causes droughts, and too much in too short a time causes floods. Water is a cornerstone of economic growth, essential for energy production, and equally as important for ecosystems. More frequent extreme weather events associated with too much or too little water have become threat-multipliers that are undermining social, economic, and political stability In many instances, water security and climate stability can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Many of the impacts of climate disruption are, and will continue to be, expressed through effects on water. Water, and the ways in which it is used, vary significantly between countries Even in areas where it is abundant, degradation of water quality can ultimately mean that water resources are insufficient. Groundwater resources are particularly important and vulnerable. In many places in the world accelerating hydro-climatic changes are putting greater pressure on already deteriorating water quantity and quality. Climate change is not the only stressor on our water resources. Population growth, urbanization, land use changes including deforestation and degradation, changing diets, and expanding societal wealth also impact the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater resources. Canada is not a water secure country This is evidenced through recent catastrophic experiences with floods, drought, fires, and toxic algae blooms. The cost of floods and droughts for families, towns and cities, the insurance sector, businesses, agriculture, and ultimately the Federal Government, are skyrocketing. Moreover, Canadian lakes and rivers support diverse plant and animal habitats, forests, tourism, recreation, agriculture, transportation, and essential ecosystem services such as water purification. However, these are not easily valued and therefore not valued enough. Canada’s water availability is disproportionately spread over a vast country spanning multiple ecozones, of which some, like the Canadian prairies, are semi-arid Most fresh water drains to the north, while most people live in the south. The Canadian economy remains highly dependent on resource extraction, processing and transportation of oil and gas, ore, and pulp and paper, as well as intensive agriculture for crop and livestock production. All of these sectors are both heavily reliant on water availability, and have costs to the natural environment and our water resources that are not always fully recognized or completely mitigated. Climate change is exacerbating water insecurity in Canada Temperature increases in Canada are among the highest in the world. This warming is already having a substantial impact on Canada’s cold-dominated hydrological cycle. Hydrologic shifts, especially between snowmelt- and rainfall-driven streams and rivers and subsequent changes in peak water flows have consequences for agricultural productivity, hydropower generation, and floods and droughts. Weather events are becoming more extreme, traditional animal territories are changing, and pathogen ranges are expanding. Jurisdictional fragmentation, territoriality, and inequities make it difficult to generate and implement a common water management vision in Canada Portfolios such as agriculture, health, water and wastewater treatment are shared between multiple agencies and levels of government, and water itself flows across municipal, provincial, territorial, and sometimes national boundaries. Inequities also exist with respect to who experiences the impacts of these challenges and who is most vulnerable to them. Indigenous communities, women and girls, and natural ecosystems are being left behind in pursuit of economic progress. In the absence of a coherent vision of itself at its future sustainable best, Canada as a nation remains mired in divisiveness on matters of energy policy, resource development, and action on climate change. There is considerable opportunity for Canada to coordinate the activities of its water sector Through the example of good and responsible management of its waters, based on strong science and evidence, Canada can improve its own water management and play a prominent leadership role in meeting water-related targets of the Sustainable Development Agenda. Opportunities exist through leadership, example, and knowledge mobilization. Canada possesses a modern water industry, world-leading water technologies, professionally managed water service provision, and world-class transformative water research. The strengths of our water sector, however, have not been optimally harnessed and fully orchestrated for future national interest. Water cooperation, in particular, is poised to become a major instrument that can be used to prevent conflict while at the same time strengthening international stability and promoting peace. Major gaps still exist if we are to meet the ambitious yet necessary Goals of the 2030 Agenda Based on an analysis of reports, syntheses, and activities to date, previous recommendations, the SDG targets, and the challenges associated with meeting and measuring the SDGs nationally and internationally from a variety of sources, we offer recommendations for action in research, practice, and leadership. This report is intended as a blueprint for more coordination between research, policy, and practice between Canadian water researchers, the Canadian government, and other initiatives around the world that will intentionally fill the gaps identified as necessary to achieve a water future for the world we want. There are huge opportunities for Canada on the national and global stage in these areas. Given the right business model and access to support and resources, there is significant capacity within the Canadian water sector to deliver water technology, management, capacity, and predictive tools to emerging markets, particularly in developing countries, to accelerate greatly needed sustainable water resources management. There is an urgent need to ensure the sustainability of natural bio-diversity-based Earth system function Presently, there is a huge and growing gap between our understanding of the problems and implementation and practice. These gaps can be bridged by recognition of the link between water, peace, security, and human and planetary health and the SDGs can be a catalyst whereby we organize our intentions and our actions to get there. This report synthesizes current undertakings, gaps, and opportunities through research, practice, and leadership to shape sustainability starting with our water future. There is huge opportunity for university research and leadership to contribute to this water future Research networks should continue to remind all of the risks and threats posed to future stability by poverty, inequality, injustice, failed governance, climate change, and the massive involuntary human migration that are already beginning to follow in their collective wake. Ideally, however, universities should go beyond just talking about the SDGs and their importance, as they are largely doing now. They are uniquely poised to be showing the country and the world what the SDGs mean and how to implement them. The challenges, as always, lie in generating transformative and sustainable change that is more than the sum of individual programs, projects, and activities, even when they have scientific value in and of themselves. As such, a commitment to leadership is essential to realize these actions and to leverage them to become greater than the sum of their parts.Item Transferrable Principles to Revolutionize Drinking Water Governance in First Nation Communities in Canada(MDPI, 2020) Irvine, Alison ; Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Dickson-Anderson, Sarah; Bharadwaj, LalitaThere are analogous challenges when it comes to the management and provision of health services and drinking water in First Nations reserves in Canada; both represent human rights and both involve complex and multijurisdictional management. The purpose of this study is to translate the tenets of Jordan’s Principle, a child-first principle regarding health service provision, within the broader context of First Nation drinking water governance in order to identify avenues for positive change. This project involved secondary analysis of data from 53 semi-structured, key informant (KI) interviews across eight First Nation communities in western Canada. Data were coded according to the three principles of: provision of culturally inclusive management, safeguarding health, and substantive equity. Failure to incorporate Traditional Knowledge, water worldviews, and holistic health as well as challenges to technical management were identified as areas currently restricting successful drinking water management. Recommendations include improved infrastructure, increased resources (both financial and non-financial), in-community capacity building, and relationship building. To redress the inequities currently experienced by First Nations when it comes to management of and access to safe drinking water, equitable governance structures developed from the ground up and embedded in genuine relationships between First Nations and Canadian federal government agencies are required.Item Water in the World We Want: Catalysing National Water-Related Sustainable Development(United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health and United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, 2015) Schuster Wallace, Corinne; Sandford, RThe international community is at an important juncture, as it is engaged in an intense debate on the future of the development agenda at the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals in 2015. This worldwide dialogue takes place against a backdrop of poverty, increasing economic and social inequities, and global environmental changes. With failure no longer an option, we must build upon the lessons and successes of the Millennium Development Goals, recognise the importance of our environment for prosperity, and catalyse sustainable economic growth. While the post-2015 agenda will be defined at the global level its success, however, will be realized at national and subnational scales. Thus, in deliberations, attention must be paid to potential disconnects between what we must achieve as a global society and how these goals can be implemented effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner on the ground. While this implementation has to accommodate national development priorities, a coordinated and integrated response must guide evidence-informed decision-making, trans-sectoral planning and policies, full cost accounting and economies of scope and scale. UNU-INWEH and UNOSD, together with our partners at the Global Water Partnership and McMaster University, have undertaken an analytical exercise to identify what implementation to achieve proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will look like at the country level. This initiative directly builds upon a global assessment of the role of water in sustainable development that we concluded in 2013. Findings of this country-based study, combined with the underlying evidence are presented in this policy brief. Through a series of country case studies, expert opinion, and evidence synthesis, the report explores the critical role that water plays (including sanitation and wastewater management) in sustainable development; current disconnects between some national development plans and the proposed SDGs; opportunities for achieving sustainable development through careful water management; and, implementation opportunities. It is our anticipation that this report fills a critical gap in understanding the complexities associated with water resources and their management, and also provides substantive options that enable us to move forward within the global dialogue.