The future of the world water resources remains uncertain
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF stated that water runs through the post-2015 Rio+20 development agenda like a blue thread. “Three facts underlie responding to the challenge of having the water needed for successful development: water comes from living systems; our success will come from our ability to manage those systems on nature’s terms; management will only succeed if we find ways to collaborate among governments and across sectors.”
Over two-thirds of the Danube former floodplains have disappeared. Due to the decline in industrial production the river water quality has improved in recent decades, but little has been done to restore the natural dynamics of the river. “Research shows that along the Danube some 400 potential sites may be restored totalling more than 1.4 million hectares. Restoration of these areas would be at least as big a commitment as to achieve sustainable development goals”, says Akos Fath, CEO of WWF Hungary.
WWF had a special stand at the Budapest Water Summit where the WWF Green Heart of Europe initiative and the Liberty Island restoration project on the Danube river were presented.
Bulldozers breached dikes on Tataru Island, Ukraine to restore natural flooding to 800 ha. Floodplain and wetland restoration will help the Danube cope better with floods, droughts and the emerging challenges of climate change
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International, at the Budapest Water Summit
Meeting of Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International, with the State Minister of Environment of Hungary
