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The
Global Youth
wants to be an active and responsible partner in tackling
our global water problems. In this document we want to
express our concern, and we would like to show in what
ways youth can and want to take action. The youth of the
world has a strong voice. We bring a fresh perspective
in global politics, break down barriers of racism, religion,
and colour. The future is being written right now.
Conflicting Water Ways and Water Security
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One
of the major problems
in conflicting waterways is the question of rights and
duties related to water: to who it belongs and who's responsibility
it is to clean it up. We believe that water is an essential
resource for all communities. Many water related problems
are caused by the misconception that authority does not
have to be combined with responsibility. We therefore
think that governments should show a responsible attitude
towards waterways, not only with regard to their own population
but also with regard to other parties in the world.
Being the youth, we propose the formation of a global
committee of experts in relevant fields which will occupy
itself with formulation of the rights and responsibilities
of countries in general related to water, both qualitatively
and quantitavely. Following on this, the committee should
take care of creating a set of general international guidelines
and the acceptation of these by all nations. After this
the committee will also have the task of acting as an
unbiased intermediate between conflicting parties in water
related issues. Such a committee could play a major role
in combating and preventing current and future water conflicts.
We also propose the initiation of youth programs to spread
public awareness concerning the efficient use of water
as well as conflict resolution. Education is a long term
investment which will ensure peaceful sharing of water
resources in the future. Therefore youth should be a part
of the mentioned committee as they are in the position
of spreading awareness amongst each other, resulting in
the long term and also in a better understanding of water
related problems and ways to solve these. Such an approach
would help in dealing with and preventing water crises,
because it influences the very foundation of the community.
When taught early the children can understand the importance
of water and can bring that knowledge to those surrounding
him. The lack of communication between countries sharing
the same river should be solved. Nations have to be aware
that they share that river and that other people will
be using that water. Water will be our problem in the
future. Now is the time to take our responsibility.
Water and the Ecosystem
Around
the world
ecosystems are being degraded by climate change, deforestation,
desertification, urbanisation, pollution, agricultural
development, population pressure, and overuse. Ecosystems
provide valuable economic and social benefits including
food and water supplies, transportation, and recreation.
The destruction of ecosystems and rapid extinction of
plant and animal species cause devastating economic and
social consequences as well as irreversible environmental
damage. Therefore, we, the future of the world, believe
that the following steps should be taken to maintain and
protect the ecosystems of the world.
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Research
We are urging governments to continue research into
the workings of ecosystems and into the development
of new environment friendly technologies and make
existing results available to the public, so that
action can be taken. Often this will lead to a win-win
situations, such as reducing the numbers of trees
cut down and replanting new ones in their place.
These two solutions will lead to a decrease in erosion
and in an increase of rainwater infiltration. |
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Reaching people through teaching people; Education
We believe in the power of education and we believe
that it should start out at an early age. We expect
that by adding the topic to the curriculum of all
levels of education, several youth programs, and
with the help of the media public awareness will
significantly increase. |
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International Guidelines
Urges International guidelines and standards for
the protection and preservation of the world's ecosystems
should be established/enforced |
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global youth believes the human race has a lot to learn
from ecosystems. An ecosystem has a natural balance which
always is threatened by the ways of those who abuse this
ecosystem. Water is a universal necessity and now is the
time to integrate ideas and commit to our common goal.
Knowledge should be shared and people should assist others
to improve their own lives. Water is shared by everyone,
drops of water travel the whole world through. As a human,
we are all dependant on water and we are the ones who
pollute it. We have to protect the children of today and
tomorrow! |
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| Water
and (Mega)Cities |
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In
order to sustain the existence of (mega)cities, an adequate
water supply is essential. As in many (mega)cities the
expansion and maintenance of water infrastructure has
not kept up with population growth. As a result of this
various problems often arise. One of the greatest troubles
with water supply in mega-cities is the supply of fresh
water. As a result of the high population density the
local environment cannot provide sufficient amounts of
water.
Scarcity of water in and among nations has become a pressing
issue as demand for clean drinking water as well as for
water for sanitation is greater than the supply, our solution
for this is to implement a progressive tax on water, and
to include the further development of water saving devices
and furthermore using existing education programs.
The distinction and separation of water used for consumption
and re-used water in other household activities is instrumental
to water efficiency and also sustaining water quality.
Both in the home and on a larger scale.
The youth wants to ensure that ownership of water (privatisation
or monopolisation) will not affect the access, pricing,
quality and allocation of water through out the whole
city. And furthermore transparency in the industry of
water supply be ensured so that the public is informed
of the water quality, origin and cleaning process. Furthermore,
public pressure can be exerted to ensure standards are
met and sustained.
The youth believes that the co-existence of cities dependant
on the same water resources should meet international
standards;
Water and Industry
Industries must bear in mind the responsibility they have
towards their source of water so as to protect its' environment.
Countries and businesses should not be using drinking
water for purely industrial purposes, since alternatives
are available. Instead they should search for methods
with are not damaging to the environment, water or the
ecosystem: |
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water that has already been used for industrial
purposes should be made re-useable. For example
the feedback of water used in major industries.
The costs should be covered by the industries; |
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when water that has been used for industrial purposed
is placed into the ecosystem its' adequacy should
be determined by experts in the field of water quality; |
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filtration
of water by all best and available means and methods
for use in industry and all the purposes thereof;
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other sources of non-drinking water i.e. salt water,
snow water and rain water should be processed in
order to be used by the industry as a substitute
for drinking water; |
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the international community to start negotiating
an agreement that would set international standards,
which is to be called the Water Association Treaty
on Energy and Resources (WATER). For all bodies
of water, including those that border or pass through
multiple national territories and boundaries. |
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Chemicals
The Global Youth, regrets industrial use of chemicals
in relation to water since there is no effective legislation
yet regarding the use of chemicals in industry. Companies
are constantly dumping large amounts of chemical into
the local water ecosystems. The youth urge :
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the national governments to implement effective
legislation i.e. minimum standards, penalties for
violation and subsidies(for those groups who deal
with the contamination); |
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a special focus on slowing down the water pollution
when applied to developing aid to less developed
countries. |
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Energy
The construction of dams and other solutions
may lead to ecological impact on the local ecosystem should
be carefully considered. When building such infrastructures
one should consider the impact it makes not only for surrounding
communities but also surrounding countries. When considering
these solutions all alternatives should be looked at and
the best for that region should be chosen.
Agriculture
The global youth is concerned about the current state
of agricultural pollution in the water ecosystem. The
problem should be met by setting national and international
standards that effectively and efficiently deal with reducing
and replacing the usage of :
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fertilizers |
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I pesticides |
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insecticides
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non efficient irrigation systems that waste and
pollute water. |
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| Seen
that acid rain, that is a result of industrial emissions,
reduces the quality of agricultural products, farmers
should have the right to hold the source of the pollution
legally responsible. |
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Industrialising
Countries
In a lot of countries a major problem is that industries
have to be developed, sustainable levels of production
have to be achieved, while, at the same time, they have
to meet ecological standards.
Therefore, any assistance provided by industrialized nations
and private investors could help them a lot in developing
their industrial infrastructure according to ecological
standards. These are all the achievements that the youth
wants the governments to be made in order to avoid any
further damages to the environment pollution. The youth
really hopes that in case this is not enough further damages
will be solved efficiently and rapidly. Drinking water
is scarce, so pollution has to be prevented.
Water and our Daily Lives
We the global youth believe it is important to educate
other youth at an earlier age, through schools, projects,
festivals and fairs . The youth can organise, encourage
and promote such events. The education of adults should
include usage of mass media and the use of other methods.
The education of parents through their children of efficient
water management. The mass media's role is publicity,
education and effective water management for everyone.
We are making the governments of developed nations, with
abundant fresh water resources, aware of the problems
that developing nations face in their struggle to fight
and preserve their water. Other ways developed nations
can help is through the use of recycling water, making
water available for export at cost, the sharing of water
technologies and also helping with the establishment of
water infrastructure so that developing nations can learn
efficient water usage.
We, the youth, believe that one of the largest wastes
of water is through the tap. We propose that a financial
system be incorporated into all future households that
limits the amount or time a tap may remain on. So that
the usage of tap water and waste is diminished. We also
propose a penalty for corporations or businesses who abuse
their availability of water.
Ministers and governments should make the appropriate
changes to policy to create a large enough base to support
water management in the future. We would also like to
see a group of specialists to give advice on specific
examples to be called upon when time needs it.
Final Thought
Like a young child, at the 2nd World Water Forum wrote:
" Children have the clearest ideas, but only have
fragile hands. We need the adults helping hand to listen
to us and give us a helping hand together, for the future
the beautiful ideas may come true..." We the global
youth deserve a tomorrow that includes the abundance of
water where the spectacle of today's effects on children
of water deprivation are no longer apparent. |
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