H2O

W12 Congress is not another talk shop or trade show but rather a dynamic partnership that is action-oriented and results-driven, culminating in the creation of the W12 Framework, which will be for ongoing collaboration across sectors, reflecting the common understanding of participating cities. This framework will include shared principles and goals. as well as plans for the development of resources for cities facing water shortages.

- Jacky Manyonga

People generally underestimate the power and impact water has on our lives; though this does not include people from Cape Town (Capetonian’s) among others. When you consider Capetonian’s instant reaction and willingness to change their habits in a short space of time when Cape Town was confronted with a water crisis, not so long ago. A lack of rainfall resulted in the city facing intense water shortages, and all individuals were urged to carefully monitor their use of water.

If humanity could react that way towards water and its preservation on a daily basis, instead of treating water issues as a foreign concept unless threatened with possible demise. The environment and its resources will be sustainable for future generations to come. Studies conducted by scientists on the Cape Town drought, show that climate change causes water shortages. The climate models they used, indicate that the likelihood of that drought reoccurring, although still very rare, will increase with further global warming.

Perhaps, as humanity, it is about time we take a step back and re-evaluate our carbon footprint and its effects on generations to come, with the intention of changing and creating better habits that positively affect the environment, ensuring generations to follow can make use of those same resources we are so privileged to have. When applied correctly, good actions expand towards becoming good habits. Interestingly, the main factor attributed to the Cape Town drought, and consequent water shortages, was below-average rainfall rather than surface evaporation which is caused by high atmospheric temperatures.