“Water Challenges for a Changing World” - Water JPI session at the European Science Open Forum (ESOF)

The  Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) is Europe's largest, general science meeting and is held in a leading Europe city every two years. ESOF 2012 will be hosted at the Convention Centre, Dublin from July 11th-15th, 2012. ESOF is an interdisciplinary, pan-European meeting, held under the auspices of Euroscience, which aims to: 

- Showcase the latest advances in science and technology; 

- Promote a dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policy; 

- Stimulate and provoke public interest, excitement and debate about science and technology. 

A Session on "Water Challenges for A Changing World" organized by JPI Water

The world population is projected to grow from 6.1 billion in 2000 to 8.9 billion in 2050. Population increase will be dramatic in some urban and peri-urban areas, resulting in escalating demands for food and for water supply and sanitation services. This development implies a greater need for agricultural and  urban water and an increased capacity for treatment of pollutants. International organizations have long warned about the water crisis hiding behind population growth and development. Structures such as dams for hydropower     2or water supply have resulted in significant modifications to many of Europe's water bodies. Climate change is projected to increase water shortages, with more  frequent and severe droughts projected for many parts of Europe. Flood hazards are also projected to increase across much of Europe, particularly in its central, eastern and northern parts. Droughts and floods have a clear impact on the status of European ecosystems. These projected changes lead to the definition of a grand societal challenge: "Achieving Sustainable Water Systems for a Sustainable Economy in Europe and Abroad". The grand challenge has outstanding economic, ecological, technological and societal implications. As a consequence, multidisciplinary actions in research, development  and innovation are required to generate the knowledge required to address the challenge and to set it in sustainable action. Water knows no boundaries. Consequently, action is needed at the European and World scales to ensure sustainability of water use, to protect life and to fuel water technology markets. Only the coordination and harmonization of European capacities can tackle these societal challenges.    

Website: http://esof2012.org/programme/

Programme: HERE