It’s a message from President of the United Nations General AssemblyCsaba Kőrösi, during an official visit to Salt Lake City in Utah, where he met with top state officials, students and scholars, and local community members.
“There are things in common because The whole world is in a water crisisthat is burning due to climate change and change our water cycle,” said Kőrösi during a meeting with Lieutenant General Deidre Henderson.
climate migrants
“I don’t want to scare anyone, but unless we solve the water management crisis, in the next 60 to 70 years, hundreds of millions of people will have to move” he added.
Senior UN official calls for support for global water information system, created as part of UN system. A new study published in the journal Science on Thursday found that climate change has been a major factor in the shrinking of more than half of the world’s lakes and reservoirs since the 1990s.
This is one of nine gamechangers who agreed at United Nations Water Conference held in New York in March, including:
- Integrating water and climate policy at the national and global levels
- An early warning system for all
- Decoupling agriculture, energy and water production
- Accurate water pricing
- Global water education network
- Support cross-border cooperation
- Creating a unified water architecture managed by a Special Envoy with an independent scientific advisory board
- Following the United Nations Water Conference.
General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi admires the beauty of a waterfall in Provo, Utah, during his official visit to the state.
Colorado River and Great Salt Lake
The president made the request after meeting with water experts from the Utah Department of Natural Resources. He was informed that Utah is currently in The 23rd year of drought because of climate change, with significant consequences for the Colorado River and Great Salt Lake; The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
And while higher air temperatures mean more rainfall, the heat also means more evaporation and more runoff, since arid soils can’t absorb water.
historic flood
Utah drought currently facing flooding after a historic amount of rain and snow in early spring.
Complicating matters further is that management of the Colorado River system is firmly embedded in the 1922 Colorado River Treaty, which grants powers to two countries and seven states, and regulates water levels – due to climate change and over used – no longer possible.
Local officials say they are focusing on “balanced long-term solutions”, with discussions related to agricultural uses, water treatment and reuse, and the promotion of conservation. country through legislative and mass media.
The pinnacle of sustainable development
While in Utah, Mr. Kőrösi also focused on sustainable development in the mountains, a theme highlighted in the 2022 Secretary-General’s report on that topic and International Year of Sustainable Mountainous Development.
One of the challenges highlighted by representatives from rural communities is the lack of development and social inclusion, exacerbated by the closures and power cuts enforced during the COVID pandemic.
“People need to be considered in policies,” said Alitha Thompson, a 36-year-old non-traditional student at Utah Valley University who lives in a rural community of Gunnison Valley, about a 1.5-hour drive from the University.
“Just because you’re different doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Everyone’s voices need to be heard,” said Mrs. Thompson, who did not have daycare that day and brought the youngest of her five children to the meeting with the President.
She says that about a third of Utah’s population lives in the mountains; Some communities suffer from levels of poverty that are more common in developing countries.
200 Marathons Later: A Water Activist’s Epic Journey to the United Nations
