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Five proposals in order to build agreement to mitigate new water

conflicts in each river basin

Víctor Viñuales Edo

Executive Director

Fundación Ecología Y Desarrollo

New York, september 6, 2007

In the fight against climate change, the international community has accepted a new approach, a new paradigm.

That Global warming will have many consequences, often mediated through water.

FIVE PROPOSALS

Most people understand that a new way of thinking is necessary regarding climate change. Now we need to apply that new way of thinking to the way we manage our water.

FIVE PROPOSALS

Traditionally, the water conflicts have been resolved either by force or by reaching agreements, but in both cases the interests represented are only economic, historic or human policy interests

Lanuza reservoir

FIVE PROPOSALS

With climate change will come new water problems. These problems can be resolved in the traditional way or using a new approach

FIVE PROPOSALS

For each river basin we need to make an agreement. An agreement with all people, the people that are living now, the people that will be living tomorrow and very importantly, the present flora and fauna and those of the future. We need to build a contract between the people and Nature, but we must know the realistic and scientific information

FIVE PROPOSALS

But this contract isn’t easy because, in general, people have difficulty seeing these new players (Nature, the next generations,

the animals, the plants…)

FIVE PROPOSALS

We were mediated in Aragon,in northeast Spain in water conflicts between farmers from plains below and people from mountains

FIVE PROPOSALS

The most dams are in the mountains, the people from them told: NO MORE

FIVE PROPOSALS

In a crisis situation, there is a high probability that decisions made by the stakeholders are ill-founded. They could be detrimental for the needs of other players and/or for the biosphere. In conclusion, they are not real solutions. To mitigate this situation, we must make the necessary agreements prior to any crises.

FIVE PROPOSALS

Five proposals which could form the foundation stones of these future agreements:

FIVE PROPOSALS

First

We need to promote agreements between all stakeholders pertaining to each river basin, creating a contract in order to reduce social and environmental conflicts in the face of increased water problems caused by climate change.

FIVE PROPOSALS

FIVE PROPOSALS

SecondIn this agreement process, we need to involve the scientific authorities in order to obtain solid facts about the water situation, without controversy.

ThirdHypothetically, the point of view of the next generations must be represented at the negotiating table. Perhaps someone could be invited to speak on their behalf

FIVE PROPOSALS

Fourth

At the negotiating table, the interests of the biosphere must also be represented. Maybe one solution could be that someone with a high standing in general public opinion, could represent them

FIVE PROPOSALS

FifthWe need the public authorities to participate in this working process.

FIVE PROPOSALS

FIVE PROPOSALS

In conclusion, both visible and invisible players must be involved in

this new water contract.

Nature and the Next Generations must not become the victims again.

WHERE ARE FROM

FUNDACIÓN ECOLOGÍA Y DESARROLLO

Plaza San Bruno, nº 9, 1º

50001 Zaragoza

España

Teléfono +34 976 29 82 82Fax +34 976 20 30 92Para más información:

www.ecodes.org