Resilience and response-ability: Towards just water service provision the context of climate change

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Date

2010

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for Poverty Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)

Abstract

Climate change will impact on water service provision, yet it is not integrated into water sector policies and plans. This paper unpacks some of the reasons for this disjuncture: the complex and overwhelming challenge of universal water provision even in the absence of climate change; and the real threat that climate change poses to predictable water availability. Current climate change response policies and practices fall short of what is necessary and also threaten to deepen social inequity. Without considered intervention, climate change impacts on water provision will exacerbate social stratification and inequality, making the lives of poor people harsher and even more arginalised by further limiting access to quality water and sanitation services that are necessary to support a safe, healthy and dignified life. The paper argues that shifts need to happen at both personal and structural levels to build effective resilience, and suggests interventions that could facilitate these shifts.

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Keywords

Water services, Climate change, Resilience, Participation, Governance

Citation

Wilson, J. & Pereira, T., 2010. Resilience and response-ability: Towards just water service provision the context of climate change. Cape Town: Institute for Poverty Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS).