HR: 08:35h
AN: H11H-03 INVITED    [Abstracts]
TI: HELP, Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy
AU: * Engman, T
EM: Edwi.T.Engman@nasa.gov
AF: Hydrological Sciences Branch, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, United States
AB: HELP is a joint UNESCO/WMO program designed to establish a global network of catchments to improve the links between hydrology and the needs of society. It is a cross cutting program of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme and contributes to the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), and the Hydrology and Water Resources Programme of WMO. HELP provides a framework within catchments for scientists, stakeholders, managers, law and policy experts to come together to address locally defined "water related issues". HELP provides a platform for sharing experiences across an international network of catchments The greatest pressure on freshwater resources has been identified as the continued escalation of the global population. Climate variability and potential climate change further exacerbate water scarcity. At the same time, degradation in water quality is causing a critical reduction in the amount of fresh water available for potable, agricultural and industrial use. However, despite this plethora of high profile activities no international research program in hydrology has been forthcoming which would address key water resource issues in the field and integrate them with policy and management needs. HELP is changing this by with a new approach to integrated catchment management. Examples of HELP activities in North America are summarized.
DE: 1804 Catchment
DE: 1813 Eco-hydrology
DE: 1834 Human impacts
DE: 1871 Surface water quality
DE: 6334 Regional planning (1880)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting