Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene 2014 Sept - Oct Vol. 9 No.5 | Page 33

2014 STOCKHOLM STATEMENT ON WATER STOCKHOLM INTERNATIONAL WATER INSTITUTE HEALTH Global demand for freshwater is projected to grow by 55% between 2000 and 2050. This poses a huge risk for increased competition over water from different users. A Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on water is a unique opportunity to holistically address our world’s water related challenges, avoiding potentially fragmented and unsustainable solutions which can increase competition between different water users. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AGRICULTURE WATER is the primary medium through which climate change impacts humans, society and the environment. Wise water management that builds on ecosystem-based approaches, is essential for securing resilience and combating adverse impact from climate change. In addition, water is also critical for successful climate change mitigation, as many efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions depend on reliable access to water resources. WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW? Water-related disasters such as floods and droughts are by far the mos Ё