• On 22 March the UN General Assembly proclaimed it World Water Day.
• 70% of the earth is covered with water; however, only 3% is fresh and most of it is frozen.

Brussels, 22 March 2024. There are different issues surrounding water, such as its difficult access for certain populations, pollution or the scarcity of this natural resource. On 22 March, the UN General Assembly proclaimed it World Water Day, a crucial occasion to reflect on the importance of this essential resource.  

The main objective of this day is to raise awareness of the global water crisis, as well as the situation faced by millions of people who do not have access to water. In addition, it is crucial to emphasise the relevance of protecting the planet’s natural resources from depletion. An objective that is very much in line with the LIFE COSTAdapta project that seeks to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level rise.  

Seventy per cent of the earth is covered with water, yet only 3 per cent of it is fresh and most of it is frozen. Water is considered an inexhaustible resource and therefore its value has been underestimated. In recent decades, the way water has been consumed has outpaced the rate at which it is consumed in excess of the resource’s capacity for renewal. The world’s available water reserves are threatened by polluting factors, according to various reports: at least 2 tons of waste are dumped daily into receiving water, including human discharges, agricultural waste and industrial waste.

Water is one of the fundamental rights for the preservation of life in all its forms. One of the central themes of the United Nations (UN) is the care and preservation of water worldwide. As part of sustainable development, this has been enshrined in the 2030 Agenda and is a priority of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Water for Peace

This year’s theme, “Water for Peace”, gives food for thought about the importance of caring for and conserving peace. As the impacts of climate change increase and populations grow, there is an urgent need for countries to come together to protect and conserve one of our planet’s most precious resources. Public health, energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity depend on a well-functioning water cycle that can be managed equitably. When there is cooperation on water, it creates a positive effect by fostering harmony and building resilience to shared challenges. 

Water can create peace or provoke conflict. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people struggle to access it, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water, we can balance everyone’s water needs. As nations manage water cooperation, they foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around fair and sustainable use.

That is why from the LIFE COSTAdapta project we remind today the importance of being aware of the current water situation and its relevant consequences. 

The European LIFE COSTAdapta project is carrying out a series of initiatives to adapt to the needs of climate change. The main objective of the LIFE COSTAdapta project is to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level rise through an innovative methodology. To this end, the aim is to design and test an innovative and progressive Tidal pool-reef system, partially using the traditional technique of tidal pool construction, common elements in the Canary Islands and the rest of Macaronesia, for the coastal adaptation of Gran Canaria to climate change. 

About LIFE COSTAdapta

The main objective of theLIFE COSTAdapta project is to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level rise by means of an innovative methodology. To this end, a progressive tidal pool-reef system will be designed and tested, combining traditional tidal pool construction techniques with advanced solutions.

This will contribute to the progressive adaptation of the Gran Canaria coast to climate change, crucial given the high vulnerability of the Canary Islands to climate impacts, including sea level rise. In addition to strengthening the resilience of coastal areas, LIFE COSTAdapta aims to conserve habitats characteristic of these areas and protect the local tourism economy. The project will ensure economic sustainability by providing solutions to flooding and maintaining the region’s tourist attraction, which in turn will support coastal stability.

The project, with a duration of 7 years and a total budget of 3,409,864 EUR (2,045,818 EUR subsidised by the European Union through the LIFE Programme), is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC) of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, with the support of its seven partners.