Topics and Briefings

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)

Topic 1: Freshwater Management

All life depends on water, making water one of the most important resources on Earth. While water covers around 71% of the Earth's surface, only 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater. Freshwater is necessary for drinking, cooking and cleaning and much food production. Unfortunately, about 68.7% of the freshwater on Earth is frozen in icecaps and glaciers, leaving very little to be used by animal and plant life. As freshwater is imperative for the survival of human beings, it is essential to practice freshwater management.

There are many issues surrounding Freshwater Management. Some of the issues the UN addresses are water scarcity, pollution, sanitation and health, groundwater use and the impacts of climate change on water resources. Water scarcity is a pressing issue because less than one percent of freshwater is available to humans and ecosystems. Without this small percentage of freshwater crops cannot succeed, animals become extinct and conflict between and within nations increases. Issues related to pollution and climate change greatly affect the amount of freshwater available for use. This is particularly important to developing countries because many humans can and have died because their water has been affected by pollution and anti-sanitation. Inequitable distribution of water will only increase if these issues are not discussed.

The United Nations General Assembly has made the years between 2005 to 2015 International Decade for Action 'Water for Life'. The goal for this decade is to meet the Millennium Development Goals by increasing the accessibility of safe drinking water for those without safe access by half and practicing more sustainable water management. The United Nation Development Program is currently helping member nations in three areas: Integrated Water Resource Management, Transboundary Waters, Water Supply and Sanitation. The Environment Program of the United Nations is also promoting many programs including global rainwater harvesting, improving management of dams, and collecting and treating municipal wastewater among other programs.

Questions to Consider

  1. Does your country have problems accessing freshwater? How does your country deal with these problems

  2. What policies and programs does your country have towards freshwater management? Has your country taken any actions to ensure sustainable management of freshwater?

  3. Does your country have programs addressing water sanitation? If so, what are they?

  4. How is climate change affecting or likely to affect your nations freshwater supply?

  5. Does your country take part in any international organizations or groups that address freshwater management?


Resources

These resources are a place to start looking; they are by no means an exclusive list. It is highly recommended that you find as much outside information as possible because everyone in the committee will have this information.