The Climate Crisis is a Water Crisis
Our changing climate is making life harder for the world’s poorest people already struggling to get clean water. The climate crisis is a water crisis – we must act fast.
What does climate change mean to you? (2021) by WaterAidUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
What Has Climate Change Got To Do With WaterAid?
Our climate is changing at an alarming rate and it’s making it even harder for the world’s poorest people to get clean water.
Children collecting water from the water source (2019) by Vlad SokhinUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
More than 2 billion people lack access to a safely managed water supply. With the current climate scenario, it is predicted that water scarcity will displace between 24 million and 700 million people, by 2030.
Tahirpur Border area, Bangladesh (2021) by Tapesh PaulUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
In the past decade, more than 74% of natural disasters have been caused by floods, storms, heatwaves, droughts and other weather-related events.
How Is Our Changing Climate Affecting People’s Access To Water?
Belita in Malawi (2021) by WaterAidUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Belita in Malawi relies on open water sources like Lake Chilwa for her livelihood. But the lake is affected by changing weather patterns.
Kalabogi village (2020) by Habibul HaqueUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Every day, fragile water supplies are at even greater risk of disappearing completely. Drought, or at the other extreme, floods can damage water supplies and spread disease.
A waterlogged area in Tognama area (2020) by Sam VoxUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Flooding can contaminate water sources. In communities where outdoor toilets are commonly used, flooding can cause sickness to spread.
Jamila Begum (2020) by Habibul HaqueUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Jamila, 35, by a toilet on the banks of the river Rupsha, Bangladesh. Tidewaters overflow this area regularly and the recent cyclone Amphan destroyed most of the riverside toilets.
What Are The Solutions For People Worst Affected By Our Changing Climate Now?
Handpump mechanics tightening nuts (2019) by James KiyimbaUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
WaterAid provides water services communities can rely on. We’re working with partners and side-by-side with communities to help them get a steady supply of clean water, come rain or shine. We’ve been doing this for 40 years, so we know exactly what it takes.
What are boreholes (2020) by WaterAidUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
We need to use the right technology, and work with local communities so they have the tools and training to maintain it. Borehole drilling is a way to reach water deep under the ground in areas where water is getting scarcer.
Moustapha and his colleague Desire (2018) by Basile OuedraogoUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
We also work with communities to store rainwater in rooftop tanks or ponds for times of drought or help communities like Moustapha and Desire’s in Burkina Faso to monitor water levels so they can prepare for any shortages.
Anita Das (2020) by Habibul HaqueUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Our work with communities like Anita's in Khulna, Bangladesh, includes raising taps and toilets, so they withstand floods and don’t contaminate water. Anita now has a hygienic toilet which she can keep clean.
Uzma Kardar (2019) by Sibtain HaiderUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Working with governments and businesses, we share our knowledge to help change even more lives, ensuring access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene is at the heart of their climate adaptation and development plans.
Adelina Maria Antonio Mocala (2017) by Eliza PowellUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
We engage with local leaders like Adelina Maria Antonio Mocala, Chief de Post of Matibane Region in Mozambique. In Adelina’s region, WaterAid delivered solar powered clean water systems in 12 communities.
Climate-resilient Water ATM (2020) by WaterAidUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Climate-resilient water ATM
Working together with partners, we can develop innovative clean water solutions that are climate resilient, like this water ATM in Dacope, Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, rising sea water levels and extended dry seasons are causing increased levels of salt in the water.
Beatrice, climate change ambassador (2020) by Chileshe ChandaUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Water Heroes like Beatrice are taking action for their own communities. Beatrice is a climate change ambassador and youth reporter in Lusaka, Zambia. She presents a weekly radio show to educate people about the importance of the environment and the impacts of changing climate.
Join Us To Help People Build Resilience Against Our Changing Climate
Gaudence washes her hands at the handpump (2018) by Jacques NkinzingaboUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
With a reliable supply of clean water, people are better able to stay healthy. They can go to school or grow food to eat or sell, earn a living and save money for the future. With clean water, communities will be stronger so they can plan and prepare for the future.
Water Hero Beatrice (2021) by WaterAidUnited Nations Climate Change Conference COP26
Governments, donors and businesses must increase investments in clean water for climate resilience. Join Beatrice, and many more voices, to help ensure access to clean water is put at the heart of the fight against climate change.
WaterAid, Abir Abdullah, Vlad Sokhin, Tapesh Paul, Habibul Haque, Sam Vox, James Kiyimba, Basile Ouedraogo, Sibtain Haider, Eliza Powell, Chileshe Chanda, Jacques Nkinzingabo
Learn more at wateraid.org/uk/water-and-climate.
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views and opinions of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The mere appearance of the story on this website does not constitute an endorsement by the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. The UN Climate Change Conference COP26 does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of third party material included in the story featured.
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