A Call for Synthesis of Water Research to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030

摘要

By adopting the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, the countries of the world identified goals and set targets to improve the human condition substantially by 2030. Two of the 17 SDGs focus explicitly on (fresh)water - Goal 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) and Goal 14 (Conserve and sustainabry use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development). Goal 6, in particular, calls for improving water quality as well as for protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, while Goal 14 seeks to reduce marine pollution derived from land-based activities. Given the time frame of only 15 years, progress toward fulfilling the SDGs will require that we effectively translate existing knowledge into practical solutions.