Published in January 2023

The turn of the year is the time to look forward. It is the time for making resolutions and plans for the future. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the events of the previous 12 months.

Looking back over 2022, it’s not surprising that media reviews have focused on shifts in political power and economic analysis of a turbulent 12 months. But for me, the most important and worrying headlines were those about the deteriorating state of the global environment.

Scientists are already reporting that weather records have been broken across the world. In early January, the Met Office confirmed that 2022 was the UK’s warmest year on record. 2023 could be warmer still. This will come as no surprise to those of you who have been following climate change science.

Last year the drought in East Africa grew more intense while exceptional rainfall had deadly consequences in many vulnerable countries. We can expect more extreme weather in years to come.

Early in 2022, the IPCC reported that the world is set to reach 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels within the next two decades. This would mean irreversible changes to the global climate with worrying consequences for people and for nature. Only deep cuts in carbon emissions would help prevent an environmental disaster. As we started 2022, there was little sign of the cuts in carbon emissions recommended by leading scientists. So, the stakes were high at COP27, the meeting of world leaders, to agree collaborative action to prepare for and limit global warming.

As with so many of these high-profile negotiations, progress was made on some fronts but not all. Perhaps the most notable win was the commitment made by richer nations to fund developing countries to help them recover from the effects of climate change.

Hopefully this will mean more support for Sand Dams Worldwide’s work in the driest parts of the world where help is desperately needed to fund the next generation of rainwater harvesting sand dams and climate-smart agriculture.

"Looking forward to the year ahead, Sand Dams Worldwide starts 2023 with a refreshed strategy (click here or on the image) and a determination to press on with the work it is doing with communities where water is scarce and the future is unpredictable."

We are more determined than ever to help these communities adapt to a changing world. That’s our resolution for 2023 and beyond.

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