资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

The saying ‘water is life’ rings true today as it does in the past.  We all know that water is a key resource underpinning our very existence.  People, wildlife and businesses all rely on freshwater to survive and thrive. The water crisis in Cape Town the last few months has brought to fore the need for better water stewardship and security even in urban area’s.

We take cognizance of the ‘Freshwater Super Year’ to highlight the significance of stewardship of our water resources that are critical in sustaining life. This issue of Africa Focus is dedicated to WWF initiatives from around the continent demonstrating varying ways of effective water stewardship.

Water stewardship is about understanding the risks we all face from water scarcity and pollution, and taking action to help ensure water is managed sustainably as a shared and public natural resource. This means learning, acting, doing and improving. These are the steps that people, businesses and institutions can take to better manage freshwater resources. A key step in the process of learning is collective action. Recognizing that working with others at different levels, local, national, regional and global, will be critical in sustaining change.

Africa is blessed with abundant water resources with large rivers like Congo, Nile, Zambezi and Niger, Lake Victoria, among others. However, about fourteen countries in Africa are already experiencing water stress; another 11 countries are expected to join them by 2025. Achieving effective water stewardship in Africa requires concerted efforts and collective action.

To ensure sustainable ecosystem functions, we all have an obligation to give focus to freshwater stewardship. WWF works in Africa will continue to strive to enhance freshwater stewardship by people, businesses and governments. We believe that if we are all consciously #Connect2Earth and become good stewards of our natural capital, people and nature can thrive.

In a few weeks we shall galvanise the power of individuals, organisations and countries to mark Earth Hour 2018 on 24th March. Our collective actions, online and onground, will call the world leaders attention to implement better water management policies, safeguard the rights of individuals access to water and conserve the few water towers we have left in Africa.

Truly looking forward to the solidarity of all people, business and governments to this end.  We have a world to save, let us do our part.

By Frederick Kwame Kumah