{"id":111233,"date":"2018-03-13T17:53:19","date_gmt":"2018-03-13T15:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/world-water-day-looking-to-nature-for-the-answers\/"},"modified":"2018-03-13T17:53:19","modified_gmt":"2018-03-13T15:53:19","slug":"world-water-day-looking-to-nature-for-the-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/world-water-day-looking-to-nature-for-the-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"WORLD WATER DAY: looking to nature for the answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

WORLD WATER DAY: looking to nature for the answers<\/a>: <\/p>\n

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African Utility Week to focus strongly on water solutions for continent Photo: Spintelligent<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“Nature or Water, exploring how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century\u201c is the theme of this year\u2018s World Water Day which is on 22 March. The scientific discipline of biomimicry employs the same approach.<\/p>\n

Biomimicry = nature\u2019s genius
“Every so often an idea comes around that is a game changer. After we hear it and understand it, we never see the world quite the same ever again. Biomimicry is such an idea,\u201c says Claire Janisch, the founder of BiomimicrySA. She adds: “it shows us that genius solutions to our challenges already exist. Right outside, in nature. Tested over eons.\u201c<\/p>\n

Claire is a keynote speaker at African Utility Week, taking place from 15-17 May in Cape Town, with a presentation entitled: Biomimicry: Learn from and emulate nature\u2019s genius to create more sustainable designs. She explains: “when you realise that the simple act of learning from and emulating nature\u2019s time tested genius is so profoundly impactful, it\u2019s one of the most inspiring approaches to Africa’s big challenges. I will share case studies and core principles to illustrate this.\u201c<\/p>\n

“Our vision is that the designers of our world – and particularly the designers of our infrastructure – look to natural systems as model, measure and mentor to design abundant and resilient cities that function like natural ecosystems.\u201c<\/p>\n

Cape Town not unique
African Utility Week will also focus strongly on water challenges on the continent, including investment needed in water solutions by the public and private sectors to enable universal access, water security and resilient societies. The water conference will furthermore showcase how partnerships, financial models and latest technological advances can make the greatest impact in meeting Africa’s water demand.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is happening in Cape Town could happen anywhere,\u201d says water expert Paul Yillia about the current water shortage in the Mother City. A guest research scholar (Water Programme) at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria and formerly part of the Global Facilitation Team at Sustainable Energy for ALL (SEforALL) focusing on the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, Paul returns as chairman of the water conference track at African Utility Week.<\/p>\n

He explains: \u201cas populations in cities grow and economic activities increase, the demand for water will continue to increase. If we now factor in climate change and extreme weather events such as prolonged heat waves and droughts, all of this will put additional pressure on water availability both on the supply and demand side. This is not unique to Cape Town. Utilities worldwide should take the threats posed by climate change much more seriously and focus additional resources on adaptation measures to cope with water security challenges that will be exacerbated by climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n

African Utility Week\u2019s water conference programme topics and highlights include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 World Bank Report on latest status on water infrastructure projects
\u2022 What is the impact of conflict and governance towards meeting Africa\u2019s water demand?
\u2022 Exploring the impact of climate change on Africa\u2019s water demand
\u2022 Panel discussion: How is the City of Cape Town working towards shifting cultural behaviour of water consumption?
\u2022 Roundtable with country spotlight sessions, sharing investment opportunities and projects that are making the greatest difference to Africa\u2019s water sector. Countries in focus will be Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Egypt, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Singapore, Dubai, Denmark, Singapore and Israel.
\u2022 A debate on the pricing methods for the continent\u2019s water
\u2022 Panel discussion: What does a bankable project look like in the water sector?<\/p>\n

The full interviews with Claire Janisch, Paul Yillia and more expert speakers can be read here on the event website.<\/p>\n

Event going ahead as planned<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the organisers of African Utility Week have assured all stakeholders in this long running conference and exhibition that the event will go ahead as planned despite the current water restrictions in Cape Town.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a major event in the City, African Utility Week plays a crucial role in contributing towards the in-ward bound travel market,\u201d says event director Evan Schiff, \u201cby holding the event as planned, African Utility Week will continue to support the Cape Town economy as we cannot allow for there to be massive job losses on top of a water constrained situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Award-winning energy platform<\/p>\n

The 18th annual, multi-award winning African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers.<\/p>\n

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.<\/p>\n

Industry support<\/p>\n

African Utility Week has already secured important industry support including Landis+Gyr, Hexing and Eskom Rotek Industries as platinum sponsors and SAP, Sensus, Utility Systems and Aberdare as gold sponsors.<\/p>\n

Dates for African Utility Week:
Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
Awards gala dinner: 16 May 2018
Site visits: 18 May 2018
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa<\/p>\n

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