Prof. Nay Htun
Former UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP, UNEPAdjunct Professor, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Stony Brook University, State University of New York, Fellow Imperial College London
*** Former, Board Member, High-Level China Council for International, Cooperation on Environment & Development
*** Former, Visiting Professor & Special Advisor International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lund University, Sweden.
*** Hon. Professor, Tongji University
Speech Title: Water Is Life – Integrated and Holistic Response Imperative
Abstract: From the advent of civilization, water plays a central and pivotal role in every aspect of development. In particular human, health, well being and welfare. A major consequence of water use and misuse is effect on the weather, in particular climate. Changes have increased forest fires; droughts; over flowing river and lakes; sea level rise; melting glaciers, Arctic , Antarctic ice; invasive species. The concept and practice of development have evolved from the major goal of primarily economic focused gains. Increasingly, the existential imperatives include ethics, ecological and human consequences. Development without Destruction, Ecodevelopment, Sustainable Development terminologies have evolved. Recently, the notion of Resiliency is considered a requirement beyond and above Sustainability. The presentation provides a brief overview of the existential threats and effects from the misuse of water and the potentials of increasing AI applications. Peer reviewed scientific literature and observed global empirical evidence continues to enrich knowledge base and importantly increase public awareness, in particular youth, business and industry.
There is a growing refrain demanding actions and not procrastinations and continuing business as usual and silo practices. Do nothing is not an option. There is an urgent need for expeditious transition pathways towards reducing, minimizing and improving use of water.
A Framework with the following components will be presented
• Vision and Leadership. Above and Beyond Sustainability and including Systems and Systemic Resiliency.
• Governance that is responsive, accountable, transparent, just, humane.
• Change Behaviors and life styles.
• Whole of Institutions approach to include Public, Private, Administration, Community Based, international and indigenous organizations.
• Intra and Intergenerational Responsibilities that recognize and respect Present and Future Perspectives. Needs, Wants.
• Implementation mechanisms improving and increasing communication, and awareness, harnessing state of the art IT, traditional, electronic and social media.
• Incentives. Recognition, Rewards.
• Cooperation Increase and expand amongst disciplines, sectors at local, national, regional, international levels.
• Respect and Dignity. Young, elderly, vulnerable, infirm. Improving quality of life and standards of living.