Overview
Water is a crucial element in climate and for society. Find out about the latest engineering interventions for water management in rivers, coasts and the urban environment.
Water is essential for life on Earth and of crucial importance for society. Water also plays a major role in affecting climate. Its natural cycle, from ocean to atmosphere by evaporation, then by precipitation back to land returning via rivers and aquifers to the oceans, has a decisive impact on regional and global climate patterns.
For those interested in engineering, climate science and environmental studies, this course offers a first introduction to the physics of water systems and their role in climate. In addition, we show you the state-of-the-art engineering interventions that can be applied to water systems. These can improve coastal safety and increase the availability of water supplies worldwide.
The course welcomes students from all over the globe, so we actively encourage discussion of water and climate issues you may experience in your location, now and in the coming decades.
The short course will explore climate change mitigation and adaptation, with a specific focus on best practices in water resources management (WRM) and conservation, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) for achieving water security outcomes. Participants will build knowledge and skills through engaging online sessions which will showcase evidence, case studies, tools and approaches that can support climate change decision making, policy and planning with respect to WaSH & WRM.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course participants will have gained:
- Knowledge and skills to manage water and climate change risks
- Understanding of best practices in water resources management (WRM) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for achieving water security outcomes.
- Knowledge of GEDSI, gendered impacts and the specific requirements of people with a disability, the elderly and young children, and the nuanced requirements of ethnic minorities with respect to climate impacts.
- Professional contacts and networks advancing climate change and water projects throughout the Indo-Pacific
Key Topics
- An Introduction to WASH + Water Resource Management
- Climate change and hydrological cycle
- UNFCCC National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategies + AR6 IPCC report – implications for regions
- Climate change mitigation and the water sector.
- Water, climate, and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion
GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) intersections will be interwoven throughout the course, highlighting gendered impacts, and the specific requirements of people with a disability, the elderly and young children, and ethnic minorities with respect to climate impacts. Participants will build a professional network of contacts through their engagement in the course.
GEDSI and climate change.
- Dealing with uncertainty
- Climate resilience for rural WaSH and WRM, including GEDSI sensitive adaptation and planning tools and approaches.
- Climate resilience for urban WaSH and WRM, including GEDSI sensitive adaptation and planning tools and approaches
- Nature-based solutions for building resilience (i.e. against floods and drought, and for water supply).
- Climate change and natural resources management and land-use planning at a basin/catchment scale.
- Climate change, water and human health (including COVID-19 and GEDSI issues)
- Climate finance, environmental economics, ecosystem service accounting and cost-benefit analysis of climate adaptation options
What you’ll learn
- The different processes of the global water cycle
- The challenges in better understanding and adapting to the impact of climate change on water for the coming 50 years
- The flows of water and sand in different riverine, coastal and ocean systems
- How to identify mechanisms of climate change and explain the interplay of climate change, sea level, clouds, rainfall and future weather
- Why, when and which engineering interventions are needed in rivers, coasts and urban environments
- Why water for food and water for cities are the main challenges in water management and what the possibilities and limitations of reservoirs and groundwater are to improve water availability
After taking this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the different processes at play in the global water cycle.
- Identify and describe the flows of water and sand in different riverine, coastal and ocean systems.
- Identify mechanisms of climate change and explain the interplay between climate change, sea level, clouds, rainfall and future weather.
- Explain why, when and which engineering interventions are needed in rivers, coastal and urban environments.
- Explain why water for food and water for cities are the main challenges in water management and propose solutions.
- Explain and confront the challenges in better understanding and adapting to the impact of climate change on water over the coming 50 years.
Training Approach
The course consists of knowledge clips, movies, exercises, and exam assignments. There are opportunities to discuss course materials with your fellow students and the Course Team through our online forum. We also provide interactive feedback video sessions in which the lecturers discuss issues raised by students.
ECAS Institute has a unique reputation when it comes to water and climate, with faculty experts in the fields of climate research, water management and hydraulic engineering. The course introduces you to many aspects of water and climate: from the micro scale of raindrops to the macro scale of oceans, and from understanding the physics of the different water systems to practical engineering solutions that may help societies adapt to the present and future impacts of climate change on water.
This training can also be customized for your institution upon request. You can also have it delivered your preferred location.
REQUIREMENTS
- Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. During the trainings, participants should come with their own laptops.
TRAINING FEE
- Kenyans: USD 1000.
- Non-Kenyans: USD 3000
- The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is arranged upon request.