The critical roles that they play are increasingly being recognized as essential for the long-term continuum of life. This vital issue was acknowledged by the UN Water Security Task Force as the central factor in achieving global water security in an Analytical Brief which was released on 22/3/13 and sent to all UN Governments for serious consideration, regarding water security as a matter of National and International concern. Thus conserving and restoring ecosystems is not a side issue but rather an intrinsic part of providing a life support system for all life on Earth.
Download: U.N Analytical Brief, 2013.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/un_analytical_brief_2013.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
It is also understood that forests and vegetation play an essential the workings of the functioning of the Earth’s climate and that major deforestation negatively affects weather patterns all around the world.
Download: IGBP Report 48, Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC) Implementation Strategy, 1999.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IGBP_Report_48_land_use_land_cover_change.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
Ecosystems maintain all of our livelihoods. Because freshwater is so crucial, a worldwide understanding and recognition of the vital roles that certain ecosystems play in maintaining quantity and quality of freshwater is essential. This widespread understanding and the implementation of remedial action is of utmost importance, if humanity and most other species on Earth are to survive for much longer.
These include mountain regions and their mixed forests, wetlands, rain forests and oceans. The vital role that mountain ecosystems play in maintaining freshwater quantity is increasingly being recognized as essential.
Download: UNESCO, 2013,Climate Change impacts on Mountain Regions of the World.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/unesco_2013_climate_change_impacts_on_mountain_regions_of_the_world1.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
These ecosystems underpin water security, food security and all forms of development. Due to these ecosystems having suffered widespread degradation on a global scale the water cycle has been seriously compromised and threatened, which impacts upon climate and climatic instability worldwide.
Download: UN, The Global Water Crisis: Addressing an Urgent Security Issue, 2012.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/un_the_global_water_crisis_addressing_an_urgent_security_issue_2012-2.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
The protection, conservation and restoration of all ecosystems and watersheds, which the global water cycle is dependent upon has been recognised by the UN as central to achieving national and international security. Thus, maintaining healthy ecosystems is not a luxury but rather an intrinsic part of providing support and security for all.
Download: UNEP,The Greening of Water Law: Managing Freshwater Resources for People & the Environment, 2010.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/unep_the_greening_of_water_law_managing_freshwater_resources_for_people_and_the_environment2010.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
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The conservation and restoration of natural water provisioning infrastructure such as mixed mountain forests is far more essential than constructing and maintaining the built infrastructures that provides technological services for societies as they underpin all present and future success.
This has to be done while it is still potentially possible, as a matter of urgency. Adequate supplies and quality of freshwater are dependent upon such action. It could be as straightforward as a worldwide concerted mountain region reforestation and rehabilitation program.
This is not a new conversation. UN conferences to consider environmental and water security have been occurring since the 1970’s. These include the UNESCO Belgrade Charter on Environmental Education 1975 and the first UN water focused conference in Mar Del Plata in 1977. Yet too often concerted action has been delayed in favour of short-term economics.
Download: Threats to the World’s Freshwater Resources, P.H Gleick et al, 2001.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ph_gleick_et_al_2001_threats_to_the_worlds_freshwater_resources.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
Download: UN Conference on the Human Environment Stockholm, 1972.pdf [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/un_conference_on_the_human_environment_stockholm1972.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
Download: FAO/HLPE, Water for Food Security and Nutrition, 2015 [mk_font_icons icon=”moon-file-pdf” size=”small” padding_horizental=”4″ padding_vertical=”4″ circle=”false” align=”none” link=”http://www.activeremedy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/HLPE_Report_9_EN.pdf”][/mk_blockquote]
This vital link between ecosystems and water quantity was recognised by the US Intelligence Services in 2012 and the USGCRP provided them with adequate information previously but it has been seriously neglected. This plays a major part in massive environmental problems to may millions of people throughout the world, along with the potential extinction of many species and increased climatic instability.