The publication "Science-Policy Bridges over Troubled Waters" is a joint initiative by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN University (UNU) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which aims to identify lessons learned and trends from 200 transboundary water projects.
24 September 2012: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) partnered with the UN University (UNU) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to find lessons from a collection of important transboundary water projects involving over US$7 billion in investments. The findings were included in a new report, titled “Science-Policy Bridges over Troubled Waters.”
The report, which includes conclusions from almost 200 international water-related projects over the past 20 years, identifies existing and upcoming challenges. It describes how science can help alleviate those challenges, highlighting the importance of strengthening links between science and policymaking.
Key findings of the report include: levels of dissolved oxygen levels in marine areas (a critical ecological indicator) have dropped significantly over a relatively short time; there has been a major increase of stored heat in oceans, which could have negative impacts on ecosystems, sea levels, and human livelihoods; the management of groundwater remains isolated from other ecosystems; and the limitations in recharge capacity of aquifers are not well understood by decision makers.
The report was released at the GEF International Waters Science Conference, taking place from 24-26 September 2012, in Bangkok, Thailand. [Publication: GEF IW Synthesis Report: Science Policy Bridges over Troubled Waters]