Newsletter UNESCO-UDLAP Chair 8 by Universidad de las Américas Puebla

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

UNESCO CHAIR ON

HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

NEWSLETTER

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

CHAIR MEMBERS Director Polioptro F. Martínez Austria udlap

CONTENTS

MEMBERS Víctor Hugo Alcocer Yamanaka Comisión Nacional del Agua

Erick R. Bandala González

PhD students participation on Climate Reality Project 2018

Desert Research Institute, EE. UU.

Benito Corona Vázquez

udlap

Johanness Cullmann

World Meteorological Organization Geneva

Carlos Díaz Delgado

Centro Interamericano de Recursos del Agua, uaem

Carlos Escalante Sandoval

Facultad de Ingeniería, unam

Matthew Larsen

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, EE. UU.

Carlos Patiño Gómez

udlap Sofía Ramos University of Arizona, EE. UU.

María Elena Raynal Gutiérrez

udlap José Ángel Raynal Villaseñor

udlap José D. Salas Colorado State University, EE. UU.

Jim Thomas Desert Research Institute, EE. UU.

Juan Valdés

University of Arizona, EE. UU.

http://www.udlap.mx/catedraunesco/

Water Security in Mexico round table

Fiftiteth Anniversary of UNESCO´s Water Programs

Water Management Technology in CrossBoundary Basins workshop

Contribution to the Mexico Document at the World Water Forum

PhD in Water Sciences recognized as a Graduate Quality Program by CONACYT

CÁTEDRA UNESCO EN RIESGOS HIDROMETEOROLÓGICOS

WATER SECURITY

IN MEXICO ROUND TABLE chieving water security is the central objective of the water policies of any country. In Mexico, owing to various circumstances, water security has not been achieved yet, and, in some aspects, it faces increasing challenges. The “Water Security in Mexico” round table addressed this problem, with the participation of subject matter experts from the Academy of Engineering and the UNESCO-UDLAP Chair on Hydrometeorological Risks.

THE “WATER SECURITY IN MEXICO” ROUND TABLE ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM, WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

The round table was held on April 4 in Mexico City, at the facilities of the UDLAP Jenkins Graduate School. The table was co-organized with the Academy of Engineering of Mexico, and the UNESCO Chair in Hydrometeorological Risks, with the following program:

« «

MODERATOR

Dr. Victor Manuel López López

Humberto Marengo Mogollón

Coordinator of the Natural Resources and Climate Change Program. Academy of Engineering

National Autonomous University of Mexico. Academy of Engineering

PRESENTATIONS WATER SECURITY IN MEXICO Dr. Víctor Bourguett Ortiz Technical Consultant Manager, National Water Commission

WATER SECURITY IN MEXICO: UNDERGROUND WATER Carlos Díaz Delgado Inter-American Water Resources Center

WATER SECURITY IN MEXICO

WATER SECURITY CHALLENGES Polioptro F. Martínez Austria Universidad de las Americas Puebla. Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Hydrometeorological Risks

WATER SECURITY IN MEXICO: WATER QUALITY Gabriela Moeller Chávez Polytechnic University of Morelos. Vice President of the Inter-American Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

The round table broadly addressed the diverse aspects that compromise water security in Mexico, such as availability and scarcity, surface water and groundwater quality, the risks of hydraulic infrastructure and technological advances for monitoring and prevention. The speakers, in the context of their presentations, made proposals for the improvement of water security in Mexico. Dr. Moeller, after analyzing current water quality in Mexico, made several recommendations, such as follows: 1) regarding drinking water supply, it is urgent to review the policies of tariffs and subsidies, which have led most of the operating agencies to a precarious situation, where it is difficult to cover operating costs, and 2) it is necessary to expand the monitoring network, both in terms of quality and quantity to improve the conservation of hydrological systems (basins and aquifers), and the revision of wastewater discharge regulations must not be postponed any longer since, despite the number of treatment plants has increased, the water quality of bodies of water has not improved. Dr. Humberto Marengo focused his presentation on the importance of hydraulic infrastructure to achieve water security, emphasizing the need to increase their number, with careful attention to environment preservation through appropriate technologies. His conclusions are as follows: 1) the long life of the dams and their low cost of operation and maintenance will create, throughout this century, a surplus of benefits against costs, for hydrogeneration, close to 15 trillion dollars. This figure does not include huge indirect savings due to the 5% reduction in global climate change (0.2Â°C), and 2) about 90% of the potential for the development of water resources is in countries that urgently require supply of water and electricity for their social and economic development. But most require initial investments and complex procedures that may cause delays if facing inadequate public support. Dr. Carlos DĂaz focused his presentation on the groundwater situation, stating the existence of a large number of overexploited aquifers in Mexico (106) and others at risk of reaching this condition if adequate measures are not taken. He construed various reflections on the association between

Dr. Moeller, after analyzing current water quality in Mexico, made several recommendations, such as follows:

1 regarding drinking water supply, it is urgent to review the policies of tariffs and subsidies, which have led most of the operating agencies to a precarious situation, where it is difficult to cover operating costs.

2 It is necessary to expand the monitoring network, both in terms of quality and quantity to improve the conservation of hydrological systems (basins and aquifers)

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

DR. POLIOPTRO MARTÍNEZ AUSTRIA EMPHASIZED THE WATER SECURITY CHALLENGES IN MEXICO. ACCORDING TO DR. MARTÍNEZ, THESE MAIN CHALLENGES ARE WATER SCARCITY, POLLUTION, HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL EXTREMES, CONFLICTS OVER WATER, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL DETERIORATION OF BASINS AND AQUIFERS. groundwater exploitation, food production and energy generation, including geopolitical considerations on the production and importation of food and on national security. One of his proposals is the creation, as a peremptory need, of a think tank on national hydrology, as well as the creation of a water secretariat, as a means of institutional support for the complex water situation in Mexico. MSc. Víctor Bourguett reported on the progress that, despite the budgetary constraints and other limitations suf-

fered by the National Water Commission, has been made to improve water security in Mexico. For example, the national network for the comprehensive measurement of national waters (RENAMIAN), the creation of the technical committee for groundwater management (COTEMA), the national program for the prevention of hydraulic contingencies (PRONACCH), and the national program against drought (PRONACOSE). All these initiatives are very recent, so their impact may not be fully assessed yet, but it is undoubtedly expected to be beneficial. Finally, Dr. Polioptro Martínez Austria emphasized the water security challenges in Mexico. According to Dr. Martínez, these main challenges are water scarcity, pollution, hydrometeorological extremes, conflicts over water, and the environmental deterioration of basins and aquifers. He specified the main triggers of these challenges, including changes in demand, as a result of population growth and urbanization; the impacts of climate change and poor water management that translates into poor water management with significant gaps. One of the aspects that stood out during the questions & answers session was the proposal to make profound changes in the legal and institutional framework in Mexico, granting a high level to water management through, in particular, the creation of a water secretariat or ministry.

ALL THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE OF THE CHAIR

https://www.udlap.mx/catedraunesco/default.aspx

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

Water Management

TECHNOLOGY IN Cross-Boundary Basins WORKSHOP n May 17 and 18, 2018, the Water Management Technology in Cross-Boundary Basins: The Rio Grande Basin and Climate Change technology transfer workshop was held at the Universidad de las Americas Puebla. The objective of the workshop was to transfer, to potential users and interested scholars, the technological developments produced during the Integrated Management of the Rio Grande Basin project, in particular the Geographical Information System of the Rio Bravo/Grande and the dynamic basin simulation models. The foundations of the geographic information systems were addressed in the workshop, and practical exercises were conducted using the ArcHydro software. Subsequently, participants were given the georeferenced databases of the binational information system of the Rio Grande, which contains various layers of basin information (geodatabases), both from the United States and Mexico, covering hydrology issues, demography, and meteorological data, among others. In addition, results and databases for hydrological modeling were shared using HEC HMS coupled with the geographic information system.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS WERE ADDRESSED IN THE WORKSHOP, AND PRACTICAL EXERCISES WERE CONDUCTED USING THE ARCHYDRO SOFTWARE

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

Datos evaporación

<Time>

Factor evaporímetro

+ Evaporación Datos de precipitación

Superficie del vaso +

Infiltración en vaso Demandas totales

Elevación en vaso + -

+ + Lluvia en el vaso

Ingresos totales al vaso

Almacenamiento en vaso

+ Hidrograma de ingreso

+ Derrames

Transferencias

Volúmenes comprometidos

Salidas aguas abajo + +

Caudal ecológico

The second part of the workshop: Was dedicated to the modeling of dynamic systems. After a brief presentation of the theoretical foundations of complex thinking and systems modeling, an overview of the Vensim software for the management for dynamic models was provided.

The second part of the workshop was dedicated to the modeling of dynamic systems. After a brief presentation of the theoretical foundations of complex thinking and systems modeling, an overview of the Vensim software for the management for dynamic models was provided. Subsequently, several models developed for the basin were presented and delivered, in particular a simulation model of the La Boquilla dam, and two simulation models of the Río Conchos basin, the main tributary to the Rio Grande Mexican basin–one dynamic and, the other, adaptive dynamic.

This workshop was sponsored by the National Council of Science and Technology and the Universidad de las Americas Puebla, through the UNESCO Chair on Hydrometeorological Risks, and attended by people from various institutions, such as the Engineering Institute at UNAM, the Polytechnic National Institute, the National Water Commission, the North America Development Bank, and the National Center for Disaster Prevention.

CÁTEDRA UNESCO EN RIESGOS HIDROMETEOROLÓGICOS

Contribution to the

MEXICO DOCUMENT at the World Water Forum n March 2018, the Eighth World Water Forum took place in Brasilia, Brazil. This event periodically brings together the world water community, including all sectors: government, civil society organizations, academia and international organizations. During these meetings, the global water situation is discussed, and various documents are prepared and published which, due to their importance, may influence public policies and decision-making at multiple levels. In this context, and as part of the Regional Process of the Americas, the Mexico Document, with the collaboration of the Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair in Hydrometeorological Risks, was presented.

DURING THESE MEETINGS, THE GLOBAL WATER SITUATION IS DISCUSSED, AND VARIOUS DOCUMENTS ARE PREPARED AND PUBLISHED WHICH, DUE TO THEIR IMPORTANCE, MAY INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICIES AND DECISIONMAKING AT MULTIPLE LEVELS.

NĂşmero 8 Âˇ Julio-Agosto de 2018

The Mexico Document analyzes the water situation in the country following the subjects of Climate, People, Development, Urban, Ecosystems and Governance. The document also analyzes relationships between water security and climate change, universal access to drinking water, water for sustainable development, the challenges of urban water management, the conservation of ecosystems, environmental goods and services, and the financing of water governance, including aspects of international cooperation. The document further emphasizes the processes of change, such as population increase, the increase in the demand of water for food and energy production, the risks of environmental deterioration and, particularly in the face of urbanization processes under way, needs in urban water. In this scenario, the document indicates that the biological and climatic mega-diversity; multiculturalism, social and economic contrasts; political wrath and atavistic customs, the geopolitical neighborhoods; make up a variegated reality that makes any approach with all-embracing pretensions, difficult. In this way, in an orderly manner, the document addresses what could be mastered by the modeling forces of the current and future situation of water resources in Mexico, and makes specific recommendations chapter by chapter. A common keyword to the various approaches would be adaptation. The great challenge in all areas of water management is the adaptation to a rapidly changing reality, against institutions, policies, standards and culture, which display a strong resistance to change. The Mexico Document is a must read for water-related scholars, administrators and decision makers. This can be downloaded from the ANEAS website, which coordinated its preparation, at http://aneas.com.mx/

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT, Mexico City, 2018 Participation of PhD students in Water Sciences Report prepared by Uxmal RodrÃguez Morales.

Number 8 Âˇ July - August Âˇ 2018

he Climate Reality Project is a non-profit organization led by former Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, constituted in 2011 from the merger of two other non-governmental organizations founded, also by him, in 2006. This, detonated that same year by the release of An Inconvenient Truth, the documentary on the Al Gore campaign to alert and educate about the facts and risks of climate change. As a result of his efforts to raise awareness among citizens, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 shared with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The project aims to disseminate, as much as possible, the reality of climate change, from its causes to its consequences and, above all, emphasizing the real possibility of change. The main strategy of Al Gore is to train a wide range of people to become climate leaders, who, without being specialists, may acquire basic notions on climate change and communicate this reality in a comprehensible manner to the rest of their fellow citizens and bring them up to date on the main aspects of this challenge. An increasing number of such people would be ideal. Among climate leaders, there is a great variety of people: a majority of young people, but also people of mature age and even some children. Most have university-level education and, although many are related to the environment, public health, conservation, energy or sustainability, there are also people from other areas less related to the topic. Such diversity allows the reality of climate change to be analyzed and disseminated, not only through multiple professional approaches but also through dissimilar life experiences. The organization place emphasis on continuing to show the anthropogenic cause of climate change owing to the

increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases by the burning of fossil fuels as the main source of energy and other human activities. This becomes relevant as it contributes to keep gaining ground against the small group of climate change deniers, which, although increasingly smaller, continues to be very detrimental to the vigorous implementation of the necessary measures to prevent the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The fundamental strategy fostered is the transition towards clean, sustainable, renewable sources of energy with a marked social emphasis. The foregoing to maintain the economic growth to which the already developed nations (and also the largest emitters) will not surrender and, above all, to ensure the advance to which the emerging and less developed nations are entitled, which have so unjustly been looted and marginalized. To reinforce this idea, during the 37th training workshop of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps held in Mexico City, from March 21 to 23, 2018, a panel of experts on fair energy transition, climate policy, sustainable energy and environmental management discussed the future of clean energy in Mexico and its potential. Here, emphasis was placed on the need to consider not only the economic aspects but also the environmental, social elements and the ethical-social imperative for such transformation to be inclusive. Only in this manner can a fair and inclusive transition be guaranteed that does not turn poverty and marginalization into the main actors that curb the fight against climate change. As part of this training event, lectures were presented and questions were answered about the different topics of interest of various researchers and experts from the different areas addressed. Among the main lecturers, we can highlight the participation of Dr. Mario Molina, Nobel Prize

THE ORGANIZATION PLACE EMPHASIS ON:

Consider the economic aspects

Environmental elements

Social and the ethical-social imperative for such transformation to be inclusive

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

in Chemistry, as well as Dr. Cecilia Conde and Dr. Henry Pollack, both from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. We must also highlight the successful inclusion of other issues, also very important from the practical point of view, which complement the actions of the project, such as the carbon market; legal, political and citizen action aspects for the implementation, strengthening and compliance of adaptation and mitigation measures; collaboration networks and communication strategies. As a result of this project, around 14,500 climate leaders from more than 100 countries have been trained to date. All of them have collaborated through actions known as leadership acts. Some of these acts are sharing Al Gore’s presentation, attending radio and television programs, writing articles in magazines, newspapers or blogs, and contacting opinion leaders, influencers and politicians. They all help spread the message about climate change. In addition to organizing, supporting and participating in events such as reforestation campaigns and training sessions on recycling, construction techniques, production of green and sustainable goods and services to help mitigate climate change from small personal, local and daily actions The Climate Reality Project gives special importance to the expansion and dissemination of the message of the causes and consequences of climate change, and above all, to the possibility, the need and the moral imperative of the transition to clean energies. Al Gore, as its leader, through his political views has implemented the strategy of taking this problem out of the academy and into the common citizens; thus, alerting them and making them aware of their

AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT, AROUND

14,500 CLIMATE LEADERS FROM MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DATE.

possible future. By increasing the number of people aware of this threat, in each community and in each country, it will be possible to reach a critical mass that demands laws and achieves a real political change. A change committed to the construction of a lifestyle that not only guarantees the intrinsic realization of the dignity of each person but also the possibility of bequeathing a planet safe from destruction to future generations due to the greed and irresponsibility of the few, or the urgent need of the many. On this occasion, three PhD students in Water Sciences of the Universidad de las Americas Puebla were recognized as Climate Reality Leaders: Pedro Sánchez Gutiérrez, Uxmal Rodríguez Morales and Paul Hernández Romero.

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of UNESCO’s Water Programs RECOMMENDED PUBLICATION It is certainly no exaggeration to say that the International Hydrological Program established the main lines of the hydrological science research agenda. András Szolöllösi-Nagy Former Director of the Division of Water Sciences. UNESCO

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

2015 marked the 50th anniversary of UNESCO’s water programs. For this reason, the book called Water, Society and Cooperation: Fifty Years of the UNESCO Water Programs for Sustainable Development has been published. This book is available through the International Hydrological Program website, at https://es.unesco.org/50-anos-programas-agua/ publicacion. In this text, in addition to the well-deserved tone of celebration, the history and perspectives of UNESCO’s participation in water issues are reviewed. This participation dates back to 1946, when, at the initiative of France, UNESCO initiated the Arid Zones Project, in response to concerns about the supply of drinking water in these regions. Then, in 1965, UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization initiated the first global hydrological cycle research program, with the International Hydrological Decade. There is no doubt that the International Hydrological Decade was a milestone not only in terms of international cooperation but also in the development of water sciences. At the end of this decade, UNESCO establishes the International Hydrological Program (IHP), as the only scientific program of the United Nations dedicated to address Water issues. Today, the IHP is an intergovernmental organization, with a broad impact on both water science and technology, and global and national water-related policies. Based on these programs, a true Water Family has been created in UNESCO, made up of UNESCO Centers and Chairs, scattered throughout the world and with global or regional scope, in addition to the World Water Assessment Program and the International Hydrological Program. The IHP has National Committees in practically all countries, which follow up on the agreements adopted at Council meetings, as well as the Program initiatives. The International Hydrological Program (IHP), the only scientific intergovernmental program dedicated to water in the United Nations System, is implemented in phases, generally in periods of six years. Currently, the IHP is in its eighth phase, whose central theme, as proposed by the Bureau and the Program Secretariat, and as approved by the

Intergovernmental Council, is Water Security: Responses to Local, Regional and Global Challenges. The Strategic Plan of the Eighth Phase of the IHP establishes that “a great challenge for the hydrological community is to identify appropriate and timely adaptation measures in a continuosly changing environment. To this end, the main scientific gaps are: incomplete understanding of hydrological processes and links with atmosphere/biosphere/human society; appropriate techniques for data integration and/or assimilation, scaling and heterogeneity issues; predictive capabilities of hydrological processes and interactions and feedback with socio-ecological systems; anduncertainty estimation and communication.”

Consequently, in the strategic deployment of this theme, work is performed on the following Focal Areas: WATER RELATED DISATERS AND HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE GROUNDWATER IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT ADDRESSING WATER SCARCITY AND QUALITY WATER AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS OF THE FUTURE ECOHYDROLOGY, ENGINEERING HARMONY FOR A SUSTAINABLE WORLD WATER EDUCATION, KEY FOR WATER SECURITY

For all those interested in water and its problems, the reading of the book on the fiftieth anniversary of UNESCO will provide a vision of great relevance to understanding the current situation of water in society and in the environment, as well as the horizons envisioned for a world in permanent and accelerated change.

Number 8 · July - August · 2018

PhD in Water Sciences recognized as a

POSTGRADUATE QUALITY PROGRAM by the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology According to the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), the National Postgraduate Quality Program (PNPC) is part of the public policy for fostering quality in the national postgraduate programs that the National Council of Science and Technology and The Undersecretariat of Higher Education of the Secretariat of Public Education has been promoting continuously since 1991. The recognition of the quality of the postgraduate programs offered by higher education institutions and research centers is performed through rigorous assessment processes conducted by academic peers, and is granted to programs that evidence compliance with the highest standards of quality and relevance. In the postgraduate programs assessment cycle, performed in 2017–2018, CONACYT recognized the PhD in Water Sciences program taught at the Universidad de las Americas Puebla as a Postgraduate Quality Program. Few PhD programs in Mexico have achieved this recognition, and,

THE FOCUS OF THE PHD PROGRAM IS THE INTEGRATED FORMATION OF THE GRADUATES, THAT INCLUDES KNOWLEDGE AREAS AS THE HYDROLOGIC MODELING OF WATER SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT.

UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

for the UDLAP, this is an important achievement, especially considering that this PhD program has only been offered for three years. The academic program of the PhD in Water Sciences is designed as a direct PhD program. That is, it is accessed from the bachelor’s degree, without requiring a previous master’s degree. The program lasts 10 semesters, including a core curriculum, but most of the program work is devoted to research. The general objective of the PhD program is To train doctors in sciences of high academic quality, capable of supporting basic and/or applied research projects in Water Sciences, as well as performing teaching and scientific dissemination tasks, in addition to generating and using new technologies, and adapting or creating technologies for the comprehensive management of water resources. The PhD program’s approach, which differentiates it from many others, is the comprehensiveness of its curriculum, which includes aspects of hydrological modeling and water systems, as well as water quality and treatment. In this way, PhD graduates in Water Sciences will be distinguished by their state-of-the-art mastery in their fields of knowledge and line of research, and, in particular, by their ability to generate new knowledge and technological development and innovation, to provide useful and socially impacting solutions to water-related issues. Therefore, program graduates will acquire the following competences: • •

• •

•

Deep mastery of chemistry, physics, mathematics and hydrological sciences for the formulation and resolution of water science research problems. Application of the fundamental laws of material balances, energy balances, thermodynamics, kinetics, catalysis, fluid flow, heat transfer and mass transfer in the resolution of problems related to water sciences. Mastery of current computer software used as research tools for technological development and innovation in water sciences. Design and performance of experiments for the testing of hypotheses, by applying the scientific method and conducting the appropriate analysis of the results obtained. Using state-of-the-art techniques and tools required for the practice of water sciences and environmental engineering.

•

Defining, from a research, technological development or innovation problem, a methodological design and the corresponding application of research strategies. Identification, formulation and resolution of research, technological development and innovation problems in water sciences and environmental engineering.

The academic faculty is comprised of twelve full-time professors, all of whom hold a PhD and lead various investigations within the following two main areas: Hydrological Modeling and Water Quality. It should be noted that several of the members of the UNESCO Chair in Hydrometeorological Risks teach courses and direct theses in this PhD in Water Sciences program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

https://www.udlap.mx/ofertaacademica/ Default.aspx?cveCarrera=DAG

NEWSLETTER OF THE UNESCO CHAIR ON HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RISKS

EDITORIAL COORDINATIONS

Editor

Polioptro F. Martínez Austria

Style correction

Aldo Chiquini Zamora Andrea Garza Carbajal

Editorial design

Angélica González Flores

United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁc and Cultural Organization

UNESCO Chair on Hydrometeorological Risks, Universidad de las Américas Puebla

The unesco Chair on Hydrometerological Risks Newsletter is a quarterly publication which reports on the activities of the Chair and its members, unesco news related to it, as well as general information on disasters and hydrometeorological risks. It is elaborated by the Universidad de las Américas Puebla. Ex hacienda Sta. Catarina Martir s/n. C. P. 72810, San Andres Cholula, Mexico.