This WIM slow onset events (SOE) Expert Group's call for policy-related ideas and solutions aims at uncovering unique, innovative and/or transformative policy-related ideas linked to the following three water-related slow onset events:

(1) Glacier retreats, which decrease the stability of mountain slopes, lead to increasing snow avalanches and lake outburst floods, affect biodiversity, the availability of water for irrigation and human consumption, tourism and cultural beliefs, and hydropower generation, spanning a range of timescales.
(2) Sea level rise and salinization, which threaten freshwater resources, livelihoods and living spaces of millions of people, as well as ecosystems in coastal areas.
(3) Desertification, which leads to ecosystem collapse, lowers food production and undermines agricultural livelihoods and ultimately results in areas becoming un-inhabitable.

The WIM SOE Expert Group would like to hear from experts, practitioners and individuals about these ideas and provide a platform for presentation and discussion to advance on efforts in addressing these three SOEs.

A selection of ideas will be showcased at relevant events to be organized as soon as feasible, including one at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in November.

Applications must be received by 31 August 2021.

To submit additional information together with this form (e.g., videos, photos and documents), please submit them via email to SOEs.EG@gmail.com, with your full name in the subject line.

A list of submitted ideas can be seen here.