The largest water conference in the world is taking place this week from August 25-29. More than 550 international organizations will emphasize the crucial role of water cooperation.
It’s notable that six of the ten rivers responsible for 90% of ocean plastic waste are transboundary rivers.
In January 2024, Sul Ross State University, designated as a Hispanic-serving Institution since 1999, hosted the inaugural Water in the Desert conference, focusing on water in the Chihuahuan Desert of West Texas.
The conference brought together experts, landowners, community members, scientists, and elected officials to discuss the future of water in West Texas.
Groundwater science and management strategies were discussed in a panel featuring regional groundwater conservation district leaders.
The Land and Water Stewardship panel covered practices to enhance groundwater recharge and surface water ecosystems, mitigate flooding, and provide lasting benefits to landowners and communities.
Other panels included a discussion among landowners about the challenges, responsibilities, opportunities, and solutions related to water in the desert.
In June 2024, Sul Ross State University announced that, thanks to funding from the Horizon Foundation, a West Texas Water Research Center will soon be established at the university.
The Horizon Foundation has committed a $125,000 per year challenge grant over the next three years to assist in launching the new center, which will be incubated at the university’s Borderlands Research Institute.
The concept for the West Texas Water Research Center arose after the successful Water in the Desert conference in January 2024 at Sul Ross State University.
The new research center will focus on establishing research priorities, guiding local municipalities, agencies, and other stakeholders, as well as leading curriculum development in Water Resource Science, which will be multidisciplinary and complement existing SRSU programs.
Texas’ existing water supplies are projected to decline by approximately 18% between 2020 and 2070 while the population grows at an explosive rate.
Demographic estimates suggest that over 400,000 people move to Texas yearly, more than 1,000 people a day. By 2070, Texas is on track to exceed 51 million residents. Rural Texas is especially at risk due to the lack of strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections.
Kick off your #WWWeek with the official guide 📖
Navigate through our diverse session formats and learn about this year's theme.
Download your copy ↪️ https://t.co/GOhPr5rPrN pic.twitter.com/r05ZVwKIhW
— World Water Week (@siwi_www) August 25, 2024
#WorldWaterWeek kicks off today, highlighting the critical role of global water cooperation in building a peaceful and sustainable future.
More on UNEP’s works to protect & restore freshwater ecosystems: https://t.co/kcrUWjFc6D pic.twitter.com/wjN16aWugk
— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) August 25, 2024
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