Water: Addressing the Global Crisis

Water isthe source of all life. Without it, neither humans nor nature will survive. Yet lack of access to water is a rapidly growing problem and one of the world’s gravest risks. It is a global crisis. The water we have at our disposal is often too little, too much or too dirty.We must learn to manage it more wisely, fairly and sustainably to avoid a serious water crisis.

The SDG Academy and the Stockholm International Water Institute have come together to offer this MOOC on some of the most important water issues. We focus on the key role water plays in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, not least SDG 6, about sustainable water and sanitation for all. The course intends to explain the global water crisis through linkages between water, environment, and societal development, focusing on how to tackle issues such as growing water uncertainty and deteriorating water quality.

It aims to build theoretical knowledge as well as provide exposure to concrete practices from around the world through a series of case studies related to good water governance. It deals with issues of water and sanitation services, the role of ecosystems, the impact ofclimate change,the role of water for food and energy production, as well as shared water resources as a source of conflicts and cooperation.

Through the course you will gain a better understanding of how water influences lives and livelihoods. You will also learn how your own actions can contribute to a more water wise world.

0. Introduction: Experience, Knowledge, and Understanding
0.0 Welcome to this MOOC
0.1 Introduction to Water
0.2 SDG Vision Statement in 2030

1. No One Will Be Left Behind
1.1 The Global Goal on Water
1.2 Water for All, Health for All
1.3. Water-Related Ecosystems
1.4 Influencing economies
1.5 Eliminating Inequalities
1.6 Enabling Environment for Change

2. Climate Change
2.1 Weather or Climate?
2.2 Defining Vulnerability and Solutions
2.3 Climate Adaptation and Water Management
2.4 Social Fragility, Conflict, and Mitigation

3. Water and Ecosystems
3.1 The State of the World’s Water Resources
3.2 Global Water Challenge: Gray-Green Solutions
3.3 Un-tapping the Potential of Wastewater
3.4 Nature-based Solutions
3.5 Nature-based Solutions: Resilience
3.4 Nature-based Solutions: Real-Life Examples

4. Water Governance Crisis: Who Gets the Water, When and How?
4.1 Water Governance
4.2 Water Services Governance
4.3 Water Resource Governance: from Source to Sea
Part A Source to Sea - The Challenge
Part B Source to Sea - Accelerating Progress
4.4 Impact of water footprints
4.5 Good Water Governance for Accelerating Progress

5. Water and Sanitation Services and Delivery
5.1 Overview of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH)
5.2 Sanitation Service Chain: an Overview
5.3 Urban sanitation
5.4 Rural Sanitation
5.5. Finance

6. Transboundary Water: Source of Conflict or Solution?
6.1 From a Natural Resource into a Political Resource
6.2 The Obligation to Cooperate
6.3 Framework for Collaboration
6.4 Case Study: Middle East
6.5 Case Study: Nile

7. Food and Water
7.1 Green, Blue, and Grey Water
7.2 From Field to Fork
7.3 An Inconvenient Legacy
7.4 Nature Based Solutions and Agriculture

8. A Critical Connection: Water + Energy
8.1 The Nexus Approach
8.2 Case Study: A ten year program, Songwe River
8.3 How does Hydropower Impact Water?

9. Case Studies
9.1 Impact Finance
9.2 Water Services in Rulindo, Rwanda
9.3 Space for Food Security
9.4 Empowering Women
9.5 Good Water management in Industry
9.6 Agriculture History of Central Asia
9.7 Corporate Social Responsibility and Water