Carlos Garriga, director of the We Are Water Foundation, an NGO promoted by Roca Group.
The water cycle defines solidarity. What does this mean for you and We Are Water?
The climate crisis manifests itself through water, causing droughts, desertification and floods that affect those who have the least the most; and who often has water pollution problems. This means that certain societies are “trapped” in a cycle of environmental degradation, where the SDGs seem impossible to assume. Since COP 22, in 2016, water appears as a crucial element of all climate strategies and solidarity focused on the problem of water begins to be channeled.
The current motto is Water and Peace, how are they related?
Water has traditionally been perceived as a source of conflict. It is also an even more strategic resource in the face of the effects of climate change. 40% of the world’s population lives in transboundary river basins and 2 billion people live in aquifers shared by more than one country. Currently it has become a means for peace, capable of generating alliances for adaptation and resilience in the face of adverse climate situations.
What depends on the equitable management of the water cycle?
Infinity of areas. Health and prosperity is one of them, perhaps the fundamental one. And the food and energy systems, of course. Linked to all of the above: economic productivity. And finally, environmental integrity, a system that can be climatically sound for all living beings dependent on it.
What are the pending issues after COP28?
There are still many homework to do. Global warming has only increased: executive actions have not been undertaken since COP21 (Paris, 2015); Therefore, it seems necessary to accelerate the political-administrative process. Furthermore, after the agreement to promote the Loss and Damage Fund, the entity in charge of financing the adaptation to climate change of the countries that need it most, the most important thing has not been finalized: the contribution system by taxpayers. , nor the body that should manage it.
What is the purpose of We Are Water?
It is a non-profit organization, created in 2010 to contribute to the resolution of problems derived from the lack of water and sanitation. We develop projects to guarantee them and promote a new water culture that allows sustainable management of water resources and ensures the universal right to access them and the sanitation necessary for a dignified and healthy life.
What is your contribution towards Water and Peace?
We Are Water is a leading foundation in the management of problems associated with water in developing countries. From the Asian continent to South America and Africa, the organization contributes by financing and developing programs such as: the generation of safe and sustainable water supplies, water restoration, the construction of sanitation and drinking water facilities, the promotion of sustainability and better management of water resources, the construction of running water systems or the improvement of supply networks. Currently, We Are Water has 96 projects, in 38 countries and benefits more than 3.7 million people.
They emphasize the idea that, in relation to water management, mitigation and adaptation are a mutual necessity.
Mitigation is necessary to end the chain of climate failures, although binding agreements and a better definition of the financing and funds to be provided are missing. An example: the G20, countries that generate 80% of greenhouse emissions, and that have not made progress on specific climate agreements. On the other hand, adaptation is imperative for better management of funds, the development of technologies, ensuring water supply to all population centers or for the protection of homes and crops. The environmental health of tropical areas is key to capturing carbon and preserving the water cycle, regions where populations with fewer resources are concentrated. Both have the same need in common: never has the generosity of those who have the most been able to save more lives.