Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
The Role of Research in Developing and Implementing Transformational Solutions for Water Sustainability
Citation preview
The Role of Research in Developing and Implementing Transformational Solutions for Water Sustainability
Arnim Wiek, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Dave White
Decision Center for a Desert City Arizona State University Workshop on “Transformational Solutions for Water in the West” Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico September 5, 2013
Failing Solutions
“A current policy subsidizes farmers to invest in improved on-farm irrigation efficiency, expecting water to be conserved off farm. Contrary to expectation, water has been increasingly depleted in some regions after such improvements.”
Huffaker, R. (2008). Conservation potential of agricultural water conservation subsidies, Water Resources Research, 44, W00E01.
2
Why solution-oriented research?
4
§ Water systems are complex
§ Designing solutions for complex systems requires enhanced capacities
§ Professional experience is not always sufficient
Why solution-oriented research?
4
§ Water systems are complex
§ Designing solutions for complex systems requires enhanced capacities
§ Professional experience is not always sufficient
ê
§ Solutions can fail
§ Solutions can create unintended consequences
§ Solutions can be less efficient than possible
What is solution-oriented research?
Produces evidence on
§ “Good / best management practices”
§ “Sustainable water supply”
§ “Effective conservation measures”
§ “Fair water distribution”
§ “Public support”
§ Etc.
6
Problem Analysis
What are we talking about
9
I
What is the problem?
Goal Visioning
Problem Analysis
What are we talking about
9
I II
What is the problem?
What is the goal?
Goal Visioning
Problem Analysis
What are we talking about
Strategy Design & Tes7ng
Monitoring & Evalua7on
9
I II III
What is the problem?
What is the goal?
How do we get from here to there?
How to design solutions
12
DPR Project, Texas
Cloudcroft, New Mexico
How to test solutions?
What problem does the solution address? What is the goal?
1. What is the intervention point?
2. What are the actions and actors?
3. What is the evidence that the solution works?
4. What are barriers and coping strategies?
5. What are unintended consequences?
12
How to test solutions?
13
How to test solutions?
12
How to select or coordinate solutions?
13
!
Intervention Points and Actions
13 !
How to reach agreement on solutions
6
How to reach agreement on solutions
13
How to evaluate solutions?
6
How to teach solutions?
12
Customized Databases
Problem – Water scarcity Goal – Satisfying all water needs/wants
§ Alternative sourcing
§ Participatory water budgeting (distribution)
§ Demand side management
§ Direct potable reuse
§ …
12
Outlook for DCDC
§ DCDC’s past work: advanced knowledge on water challenges under climate change uncertainties in collaboration between researchers and policy makers
§ DCDC’s future agenda includes: solution-oriented research on water supply and demand management strategies as well as integrated planning processes
11
Contact
Dr. Arnim Wiek
Decision Center for a Desert City &
School of Sustainability
Arizona State University
E-mail: [email protected]
14
