Published:
05 Sep 2008 - Clear information and citizen
involvement are crucial if we are to bring
about improvements in Europe's environment,
particularly in the field of water, says
Professor Jacqueline McGlade, Executive
Director of the EEA.
In a keynote speech
at the European Water Partnership workshop
(4th September 2008) in Zaragoza, Spain,
Professor McGlade described sustainable
water management as 'one of our most pressing
environmental challenges'. Water is a life-sustaining
resource but 'the added complications of
climate change, an increase of temperatures
and lower river flows will lead to a decrease
of water quality', she added.
Sustainable water management
is essential to guarantee sufficient provision
of clean and safe water to ecosystems and
the people who depend on them. An increasing
number of Europeans — and not just in the
Mediterranean basin — will most likely be
affected by recurrent droughts which could
be aggravated by water scarcity due to consumption
patterns.
Professor McGlade warned
against ill-advised decisions in favour
of unsustainable large reservoirs, water
transfer schemes and desalination plants
as solutions to concerns around water availability.
'Instead', she said, 'water pricing, reducing
water losses and informing on more water-efficient
practices all have a part to play'.
