The IAHS Science for Solutions decade, with Hydrology Engaging Local People IN a Global world (HELPING)

Arheimer, Berit; Cudennec, Christophe; Castellarin, Attilio; Grimaldi, Salvatore; Heal, Kate; Lupton, Claire; Vienna On-line), Participants in workshops (Cordoba; Chun, Kwok; leaders, WG

Abstract

The new scientific decade (2023-2032) of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) aims at searching for sustainable solutions to undesired water conditions - may it be too little, too much or too polluted. Many of the current issues originate from global change and follow similar global cause-effect patterns and loops. Solutions to problems, on the other hand, often need local knowledge and co-created measures to be efficient and sustainable. Therefore, the new IAHS Scientific Decade strives to engage scientists and communities in mutual learning for shared understanding and local actions. The decade will explore the current water crises by searching for actionable knowledge within three themes: global and local interactions, sustainable solutions and innovative cross-cutting methods. This new decade capitalises on previous IAHS Scientific Decades and shapes a trilogy; from Hydrological Predictions (PUB) to Change and Interdisciplinarity (Panta Rhei) to Solutions (HELPING). The vision is to solve fundamental water-related environmental and societal problems by engaging with other disciplines and local stakeholders. This scope for the decade was elaborated using a strategic planning approach, with several iterations and participatory meetings in the global IAHS community during the first year. 25 working groups have bloomed and are established to elaborate more specific science questions and work plans for holistic solutions. The HELPING vision reinforces the contemporary agenda of national and intergovernmental organisations in realising the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations. Hence, HELPING has the ambition and great potential to become a vehicle for putting science in action, driven by local hydrological scientists.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 20, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 21, 2025
• Journal: Hydrological Sciences Journal
• Print ISSN: 0262-6667
• Electronic ISSN: 2150-3435
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2024.2355202
• Keywords: Water crises, Holistic solutions, Co-creation, Transdisciplinarity, Local context, Stakeholder engagement, Actionable knowledge, Science in action, SDGs, Anthropocene
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11984150
• Additional Information: SDG13 ; SDG6