The future of island communities is fundamentally related to the quality and conservation of their water resources, but also on the reliability and resilience of the infrastructure in place on each island. Last week, we hosted a discussion on Water Resources for Islands: The Road to the UN Water Conference. Thanks to our diverse panel of speakers, 7 experts from Jamaica to Kiribati to the Faroe Islands, we were able to get some innovative insights on the progressive work they have been doing on their islands to tackle the water crisis that is already affecting the water supplies, crops, and islands communities’ well-being in general.
Here are 4 key insights from the Water Resources for Islands webinar:
Our conclusions are crystal clear: islands need tailored water and sanitation policies, and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure water security for their entire communities.
This week at the United Nations in New York, global access to clean water and sanitation is also being discussed during the UN 2023 Water Conference. This international gathering could result in outcomes as critical for water as the Paris Agreement has been for climate action, and immensely benefit island communities around the globe.
Most islands continue to be highly dependent on fossil fuels and imported goods, which contributes to high energy costs and carbon emissions. The tourism industry, a significant driver of many island economies, can have negative environmental impacts, such as overuse of natural resources and pollution.
However, islands also offer unique economic opportunities for sustainable finance. For example, many islands have abundant renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, which can be harnessed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Islands can also develop sustainable agriculture and fisheries industries that prioritize conservation and sustainable management practices. Finally, sustainable tourism can provide economic benefits while preserving the unique cultural and environmental attributes that attract visitors to island destinations.
This article has been written by our team member Thaiz Maciel.