Roger Falconer is CH2M HILL Professor of Water Management in the School of Engineering, at Cardiff University, and President of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research. He manages research contracts on hydro-environmental modelling of coastal, estuarine and river waters and has published over 400 papers in the field. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and the Institution of Civil Engineers and has received numerous awards for his work, including: (i) 1999 RAEng Silver Medal, (ii) 1991 IAHR Ippen Award. His computer models have been used in over 100 Environmental Impact Assessment studies worldwide.
Presentation Title
Global Water Security: Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract
The paper introduces some of the general challenges of global water security, particularly in poverty stricken regions such as Africa, and highlights the likely global impact of climate change, increasing pollution and population growth etc. on water resources, as outlined in recent studies. The nexus between water, food and energy is introduced, along with the concept of virtual water and the impact of the water footprint and the need for society, industry and governments to become more conscious of the water footprint, alongside the carbon footprint. Various practical solutions to enhancing security of supply are introduced and discussed, such as desalination and integrated water management in the form of ‘Cloud to Coast’, together with global actions needed. Finally, some water security challenges and opportunities for developed countries, such as the UK, are discussed, particularly with regard to the need to price water appropriately and the need to appreciate that the price of water should cover more than just the cost of delivery to the home. The paper concludes with the urgent need to raise the profile of global water security at all levels of society and through international bodies, for the benefit of humanity worldwide.