The Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Fund

Securing Water for Nature and People in a Changing Climate

On November 3rd and 4th 2009 WWF convened the 4th annual Kathryn Fuller Science for Nature Symposium. This year’s event provided a state-of-the-science review of climate impacts on freshwater systems, challenges to freshwater ecosystem conservation, the role of adaptation in water management, and provided a platform for the development of an adaptation based "conservation agenda".

Video & Presentations | Speaker Profiles

Water sustains life, yet with little or no regard for its value, humans have devastated freshwater ecosystems, in order to meet the demands of population growth and economic development. Protecting freshwater systems is critical for the future of both humans and wildlife, and now, adding increased urgency to this mission, is a further challenge: climate change.

Conservationists and development professionals have historically chosen very different and often opposing approaches to “sustainable” water resource management. But these divisions have always been artificial and distracting, and climate change simply increases the urgency with which we must reduce this conflict. In fact, climate change presents an opportunity to discuss sustainable resource management in a more holistic way, bringing together opposing groups and focusing policymakers drawn to concerns over climate change on a coherent view of sustainable development.

© Olivier Van Bogaert / WWF-Canon

Climate change adaptation thinking emphasizes this shifting relationship between institutions and ecosystems, and is an approach that promotes flexibility. Using natural modes of adaptation as a template for sustainable development should promote collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and economic developers, and benefit sound conservation practice.

Key questions addressed

• What are the impacts of climate change on freshwater systems?
• What are the challenges to freshwater ecosystem conservation and water management in a changing climate?
• What is the role of climate adaptation in addressing these challenges, and what are limitations of adaptation?