Hell or High Water? You Decide.
By now, we have come to the conclusion that there exists a water crisis such that we cannot seem to fulfill any of our needs relating to water. Right at this moment, some countries are facing such scarcity, while other countries are wasting it . But to make matters worse, we are slowly destroying the sources that give us this life giving liquid. Climate change is hitting the high mountain regions more brutally than the world on average. These high mountain regions have an abundance of fresh water. These are thus called Water Towers.
It is from these sources that water flows down thousands of kilometres to give way to life. It feeds people, farms and the natural world, and is arguably one of the most important sources of freshwater. These “Water Towers” hold more ice and snow in their peaks than exists anywhere in the world, apart from the poles. With over 20,000 glaciers, piles of snow, high-elevation lakes and wetlands, these high mountain regions consist of half the fresh water supply that humans use. In fact, 20% of the Earth’s population is dependent on these glaciers and icy peaks.
What is important to understand here is that the kind of water flow that comes from these water towers needs to be consistent, or at least predictable. A steady melt of these icy peaks is not destructive, but when you have big rain events, it can cause flash floods. This water is especially important for farmers, both upstream and down, and for the cities and towns, which need this water all year round. But an increase in the average temperature, means that the high mountains are warming faster than the world.
The smallest of changes in the timing of the flow or the amount of water could mean great stress on a lot of communities who already struggle to use this water prudently. The problem seems to be that even though water pollution and proper usage of water is really out there in everyone’s faces, there is no real quantification of the importance of this water on the surrounding communities and the natural world. And with an exponential increase in the population, we need to refocus on the way we conserve and use water.
In Ladakh, this means creating stupas, small piles of ice that lasts through dry seasons. In Peru, re-activating ancient water systems which collected water tower liquid into channels and reservoirs. But, on a more global level, there is a need to address climate change and the geopolitical scenario surrounding these water towers for a more secure future.
It is not just about one community, one city, or even one nation. This time it is about the world as a whole and what it will take for us to finally take action. But we, as the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow, can start to make the change we want to see, through aiesec.org. We have the tools to make the change, the only thing remaining is to take the first step.
