We each have a different idea of the time period we are looking at when we talk about the future! So how do we get the global community of people and nations to work together on freshwater scarcity from which only a few are immune?
How Long is the Future?
Freshwater is at the HEART of everything artificial and many many natural creations on Earth.
Included in the artificial creations are not only physical things and what we call 'stuff' but also political, economic and social stability, each of which also depends upon how long a freshwater-secure future we seek or envision.
How Long is the Future?
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| Source - blog.enerdynamics.com |
An interesting description of the question comes from Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google: "Based on their professions, people have different answers to the question “How long is the future?” If you are a political leader it is 2 years, 4 tears or 6 years. If you are a government worker it is 2 weeks or even 1 week because the budget has not even been approved. If you are in a company where your bonus is paid out at the end of the year and that is a majority of your compensation, then that's your future. If you are a long term owner who is largely prevented from selling any of your shares, the owner has a very different definition of the future? Politicians, for example, see the future in increments of a few years, while those who have long-term equity in a company see the future differently."
Freshwater's Role
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| Source - en.wikipedia.org |
Included in the artificial creations are not only physical things and what we call 'stuff' but also political, economic and social stability, each of which also depends upon how long a freshwater-secure future we seek or envision.
The "Future" in Development: NGOs, GOs and others
Unfortunately, each organization's definition of "Future" differs in the development community. Some may be looking till the end of their latest funded project; others may be working within the funding cycles of their benefactors; still others may simply be waiting for their funding to run out; other's still may be run out of a location by factors they simply cannot influence. The "future" is different for each entity. So how do we reconcile these different definitions of the future when we talk about safe drinking water?
Unfortunately, each organization's definition of "Future" differs in the development community. Some may be looking till the end of their latest funded project; others may be working within the funding cycles of their benefactors; still others may simply be waiting for their funding to run out; other's still may be run out of a location by factors they simply cannot influence. The "future" is different for each entity. So how do we reconcile these different definitions of the future when we talk about safe drinking water?
Is how we define Innovation, the key?
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| Source - fotolia.com |
Any discussion of innovation is also never independent of time. Are we innovating to get through this winter? Are we innovating till the benefiting community moves to a new physical location? Are we seeking a better future for our children?
All the questions include a presumption of a set time period in them.
The huge objects we have created (like dams, aqueducts, levees etc) were supposed to last for a very very long time and they have done so, sometimes to our regret because of unforeseen negative impacts on nature's creations and balance.
All the questions include a presumption of a set time period in them.
The huge objects we have created (like dams, aqueducts, levees etc) were supposed to last for a very very long time and they have done so, sometimes to our regret because of unforeseen negative impacts on nature's creations and balance.
Our Freshwater Future: 10 years or less?
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| Source - vimeo.com |
The earliest forecast date when we encounter dire water scarcity for many is the one that says: By 2025, as many as one-third of the human population (2.8 billion people) could be experiencing severe water shortages! And the vast majority of these people will be in the underdeveloped and developing world!
The period from the start of 2013 till the end of of 2024 consists of just 12 years. So,
1. We have 12 years to make a lasting difference for 2.8 billion people.
2. The difference we make should last at least their lifetime i.e. our innovation should prevail over water shortages through a lifetime of 65 years (a fair global measure of life expectancy) at a minimum.
How many of our current efforts are good for at least 65 years?
But we have a decade to get it done!
Are we in the water development community working the plan to prevail throughout the 21st century and everywhere in the world , rather than enduring safe drinking water scarcity or severe water stress ?
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