A safe supply of clean water is necessary for human survival; nevertheless, 2.2 billion people around the world lack access to this basic human right. Climate change is exacerbating a global water security issue.
Scientists from all across the world are now collaborating to address the threat of climate change to humanity, according to the Futures Climate Research Cohort Programme created by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) and the British Council.
Renowned climate change experts from five UK universities will work with 20 early-career researchers from ten low and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, to address regional climate change challenges in the Global South through knowledge exchange and research projects.
Scientists from the University of Warwick’s Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) are leading the cohort as part of the programme to explore the disparities in water security, water for ecosystems, and water-related dangers.
The findings will help researchers better understand the uneven distribution of climate-change-induced water crises across locations, populations, and ecosystems, as well as strengthen vulnerable groups and increase resilience to risks and uncertainties.
In addition to research, the project will help ECRs create interdisciplinary collaborations, engage stakeholders, and translate results into actions to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Scientists from the University of Warwick’s Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD) are leading the cohort as part of the programme to explore the disparities in water security, water for ecosystems, and water-related dangers.
The research results will help in better understand the uneven distribution of climate-change-induced water crises across locations, populations, and ecosystems, as well as strengthen vulnerable groups and increase resilience to risks and uncertainties.
In addition to research, the project will help ECRs create interdisciplinary collaborations, engage stakeholders, and translate results into actions to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
As we learned from the UN Water Conference on 22 March and the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report, the need to unite the world for collective water research and action has never been more clear. Nearly 80% of the global population is exposed to water security challenges, with climate change intensifying the water cycle, altering rainfall patterns, and consequently bringing more frequent and amplified hazards to human societies in many regions.
Dr. Feng Mao, Institute for Global Sustainable Development, University of Warwick
Dr. Feng Mao adds, “We will be addressing the intersections of water, ecosystems, society, and technologies—aiming to improve lives and build resilience to climate change. Being part of the Climate Research Cohort will elevate Warwick University’s position as a leading institute for environmental sustainability.”
IGSD has been relaunched to become the gateway to research on sustainable development at Warwick, with one of its key thematics being complex eco-systems and water security. I am very proud to see how our strategic thinking, research, and leadership are now coming together, from growing our thematic networks across Warwick to an IGSD leading scientist, Dr. Feng Mao, now representing us globally via the ACU.
Elena Korosteleva, Professor and Director, University of Warwick
Elena Korosteleva notes, “This is particularly opportune for our own launch of the ECR Sustainability Training School on 5–9 June 2023, which we hope will serve as a platform for raising a new generation of planet-conscious researchers and responsible citizens.”
The program’s water security focus is led by Dr. Feng Mao, Dr. Nikoleta Jones, and Dr. Vangelis Pitidis from the University of Warwick’s Institute for Global Sustainable Development (IGSD). The Institute for Global Sustainable Development supports global collaboration in the face of climate change to develop a more sustainable and resilient world.
Source: https://warwick.ac.uk/
