水資源、森林與就業一家親 聯合國啟動整合新計畫 | 環境資訊中心
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水資源、森林與就業一家親 聯合國啟動整合新計畫

2016年03月29日
摘譯自2016年3月22日ENS義大利,羅馬報導;姜唯編譯;蔡麗伶審校

國際森林日隔天就是世界水資源日,這並非巧合。聯合國指出,水和森林相互依存,而全世界有數10億人口依賴這兩種資源提供的工作機會。上週,聯合國糧農組織啟動了一項新計畫,結合了森林水質與水源,協助八個西非國家評估森林在水資源上的潛在助益,進一步促進水資源安全。

UNAMID Photo(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

水資源、森林與就業,三者息息相關。圖片來源:UNAMID Photo(CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

聯合國強調,水資源、森林與就業,三者其實息息相關。聯合國指出,全球近半數工人受僱於水資源相關產業,但同時,每10個人中有8人面臨水資源短缺風險。

另一方面,森林集水區和濕地提供全世界75%的淡水,作為家庭、農業、工業和生態用水,同時全世界超過1/3的最大都會區依賴森林保護區供水。

除了水資源相關產業的數10億工人外,全世界1/5的人口,也就是13億人,依賴森林提供的就業機會和森林相關製品作為生計來源。

森林提供和調節地方和區域的水資源,從回補地下水、土壤保持到蒸散作用促進降雨。森林除了供給水資源,也保障水的品質。聯合國糧農組織估計,花在永續森林集水區管理的每1美元,都能省下7.5至200美元的水處理成本。

21日國際森林日,聯合國糧農組織啟動新的森林水質與水源促進計畫,改善八個西非國家的水資源安全。糧農組織將與當地社群合作,提升人們對森林與水關係的認識,幫助人們整合森林管理於農業活動中,以改善水資源的供給。首先建立一套「森林—水」監控框架,協助這些國家評估森林在水資源上的潛在助益。

聯合國教科文組織總幹事Irina Bokova認為,有必要投入資金,保護全球的森林與水資源安全。他呼籲政府、公民社會和私部門合作推廣「高品質的工作,因為保護環境、確保永續水資源管理將有助消滅貧窮,帶來成長並為所有人帶來更好的工作環境。」

聯合國秘書長潘基文也表示,最難以取得水資源和衛生設備的人往往也缺乏醫療和穩定工作,形成貧窮的循環。他呼籲世界各國解決水資源不平等的問題,作為實踐2030永續發展議程的一部份。2030永續發展議程的目標六就是確保所有人有水和衛生設備可用,並能永續管理之。

UN: Water, Forests and Jobs All Interdependent
ROME, Italy, March 22, 2016 (ENS)

Nearly half of the world’s workers are employed in water-related sectors, while at the same time, the water security of eight out of 10 people is under threat, the United Nations said today, highlighting the links between water, forests and jobs.

Today is World Water Day, marked with events across the world, while yesterday was the International Day of Forests. It is no accident that the two days are marked together as water and forests are interdependent and billions of people depend of both resources for employment.

Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible fresh water for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs, while over one-third of the world’s largest urban centers depend on protected forests for their water.

In addition to the billions of workers in water sectors, 1.3 billion people, one-fifth of the global population, depend on forests for employment, forest products, and contributions to livelihoods and incomes.

Forests provide and regulate water at the local and regional levels, from groundwater recharge and erosion control to promoting precipitation through evapotranspiration.

In addition to boosting supplies, forests also maintain water quality. Every $1 spent on sustainable forest watershed management can save $7.5 to $200 in water treatment costs, estimates the FAO.

On Monday, at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization’s headquarters in Rome, a event took place to recognize the International Day of Forests on the theme of Forests and Water.

There the FAO opened a new effort to enhance the function of forests in improving water quality and water supplies.

The program will begin by boosting water security in eight West African countries: Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Sierra-Leone.

The agency will work with local communities to raise their awareness of the interactions between forests and water and help them to integrate forest management in their agricultural practices to improve water supplies.

First a forest-water monitoring framework will be established to help countries assess potential forest benefits in terms of water resources.

Irina Bokova, who heads the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, also sees the need for increased funding to ensure a forested, water-secure world.

Bokova called for governments, civil society and the private sector to work together to promote “high-quality jobs, while preserving the environment and ensuring sustainable water management will help to eradicate poverty, promote growth and craft a future of decent work for all.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that people with the least access to water and sanitation often also lack access to health care and stable jobs, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

He called for action to address water inequality, as parts of effort to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

※ 全文及圖片詳見:ENS

※ 本文與 行政院農業委員會 林務局   合作刊登

作者

姜唯

如果有一件事是重要的,如果能為孩子實現一個願望,那就是人類與大自然和諧共存。

蔡麗伶(LiLing Barricman)

In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.