Indonesia Invites All Countries to Handle Water Crisis
- Pexels/Lisa Fotios
VIVA – The water crisis happens almost all over the world and has become a global crisis that must be handled by every country. Head of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Dwikorita Karnawati, warned that the water crisis is a result of climate change that disrupts the hydrological cycle.
"The phenomenon of climate change will continue if the rate of increase in greenhouse gas emissions cannot be controlled. This condition causes faster evaporation of surface water." Karnawati stated on FMB9 Dialogue with the theme 'Kelestarian Air, Kebutuhan Hidup Bersama’ on Monday.
The decreasing availability of surface water and groundwater will affect the availability of clean water in various parts of the world. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported in 2022 that drought and water scarcity had hit various countries in the world, Karnawati said.
FMB9 Dialogue with the theme Kelestarian Air, Kebutuhan Hidup Bersama
- FMB9ID
"There is no difference between developed and developing countries. Both suffer from droughts and floods. So, once again droughts and floods are the same impacts due to the rapid pace of climate change exacerbated by environmental damage," she explained.
During this global water crisis, Indonesia was chosen as the host of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in 2024 with the theme 'Water for Shared Prosperity'. The theme is related to the current conditions, where the availability of clean water is still a challenge for many countries.
In addition to strengthening Indonesia's position in the field of water resources management, WWF is the largest international meeting in the field of water that discusses water resources management involving various stakeholders.
Through WWF, Indonesia wants to emphasize that water is political. Water is not only a technical matter but also a political one. It can be one of the platforms for decision-makers to put water at the top of their priorities.
As information, the forum initiated by the World Water Council (WWC) is held every three years and has been held regularly since 1997. Also, Indonesia is committed to strengthening the collaboration of various stakeholders in achieving SDGs targets, namely related to the right to clean water and sanitation.
Furthermore, in the same forum, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Endra S. Atmawidjaja assessed that excessive water utilization and environmental destruction can reduce water availability and make it unfit for use.
“In addition, food security is also related to the availability of sufficient clean water. Lack of access to clean water can affect productivity and food availability,” he said.
Addressing the water crisis and improving food security requires an integrated and sustainable approach. The current government has developed policies and programs to preserve water resources. Among others, since 2014 the government has initiated the construction of 61 dams until 2024.
Other efforts include encouraging the private sector to play an important role in developing environmentally friendly and efficient technologies. In addition, the community can also help preserve water by reducing excessive water use and supporting water conservation programs.
