We are experiencing a period of meteorological drought with significantly below-normal precipitation for decades.
Agricultural drought affects plant growth, reduces crop yields due to low soil moisture levels and water scarcity, and threatens livestock. We are concerned about hydrological drought, which leads to a significant decrease in groundwater levels. After these many years without rain, many wells have dried up.
Rainwater is scarce. There is no need to list the consequences of its absence. We focus our efforts on preservation methods, adopting a holistic approach based on scientific principles and international best practices in water resource management. We present this synopsis of actions to be taken, by sector, to effectively combat drought.
We hope that these guidelines will be considered by the various entities engaged in the transition, desired by all, towards sustainable abundance. This reflection challenges our current practices regarding water and soil. Despite the decade-long drought, significant volumes of runoff water are lost to the sea and deserts each year, while we passively endure flood damage. We continue to drain rainwater into sewers, starting with these same mosques where we officially and piously pray to God for it. In government buildings, we drain the rare rainwater from terraces and courtyards into the sewers via drains and leave the planned green spaces dry. Worse, I have seen in the middle of the desert, in the middle of nowhere, at a gas station, rainwater being drained into sewers! If we do not grasp thie significance of this detail, we have missed the essential. Is the raindrop intended for the sewer, even in the middle of the desert? Shouldn’t plant life and soil health be prioritized to receive it, after it has filled human reservoirs and livestock troughs? These questions guide our thoughts: Taking care of the raindrop where it falls.
Integrating all the actions listed below into national governance strategies is on the agenda to strengthen the country’s ability to meet the challenges of its socio-economic security by effectively combating drought.
**Agriculture and Water Resources:**
Persistent meteorological drought affects crops and reduces agricultural yields. To counter this, adopt efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and promote the reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture. Encouraging the transition to sustainable agricultural practices like agroecology and agroforestry will help preserve soil and increase crop resilience to drought.
**Stormwater Management and Flooding:**
Currently, a large amount of rainwater is lost through runoff to the sea and deserts, while floods cause significant damage. It is imperative to review stormwater management by promoting collection and retention through retention basins, rain gardens, and de-impermeabilization techniques. Integrating these systems into urban planning will reduce flood risks and recharge groundwater.
**Innovative Technologies and Ecological Engineering:**
Use techniques like fog harvesting in arid areas and generalize phytoremediation to treat wastewater ecologically and cost-effectively. Explore solutions such as cloud seeding to increase precipitation. Integrating these practices into the national water resource management strategy is necessary to strengthen the country’s water security.
**Afforestation and Land Use Planning:**
To promote balanced and sustainable development, decentralize public services and industries to reduce pressure on overcrowded coastal areas. Implement large-scale rainwater retention and collection measures, accompanied by reforestation programs, to restore hydrological cycles and attract moisture.
Southern Africa drought crisis demands fresh solutions
**Environment:**
Promoting natural solutions in water management benefits biodiversity while reducing the impact of desalination plants. This includes rehabilitating aquatic habitats, reintroducing wetlands to store water and prevent flooding, and collecting rainwater upstream to restore the water cycle in disrupted watersheds.
To address the challenges of conserving and restoring freshwater ecosystems, it is essential to tackle pollution sources, generalize wastewater treatment, and aim for efficiency in managing stormwater runoff and urban floods.
By integrating these actions into a comprehensive and coordinated approach, Algeria can strengthen its resilience to drought and climate change challenges, while promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
**Land Use Planning and Urban Construction:**
Soil greening is essential for restoring natural water cycles by promoting agricultural and urban practices such as agroforestry and rain gardens. Use vegetation for water infiltration and purification, and encourage green infrastructure such as artificial wetlands and urban parks. Land management practices that favor evapotranspiration and carbon sequestration should be encouraged, as well as conservation and reforestation initiatives.
To combat desertification, plant native trees and shrubs that provide shade, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and use solar energy for irrigation and other needs. Soil protection measures against erosion, rainwater conservation-retention instead of drainage to the sea and deserts, restoration of natural ecosystems, and sustainable natural resource management are also necessary.
Support ecosystem conservation, large forest conservation, and deforested area restoration, and develop educational programs to raise awareness and involve local populations in water resource management.
Forests play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle by regulating climate, maintaining atmospheric humidity, and influencing precipitation. They support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and mitigate climate change effects. To address drought, choose adapted tree species and implement sustainable water management practices, such as wetland conservation and reforestation. The Miyawaki method offers an effective approach to creating diverse and resilient microforests.
**Education, Awareness, and Training:**
Provide training programs on soil and water conservation to farmers and local communities. Raising awareness about rainwater harvesting-retention and encouraging environmentally friendly practices will contribute to more efficient resource use.
Raise awareness about water conservation and soil protection. Integrate educational programs from an early age, develop school gardens, and organize practical experiences to prepare the next generation to face climate-related challenges.
Reform and innovate training programs and modernize curricula to integrate the latest solutions and technologies. Continuing education and professional development are necessary to succeed in this drive towards abundance.
Investing in green jobs such as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture creates jobs while addressing environmental challenges. Generalizing water conservation and management techniques, such as treated water reuse and precision irrigation, to overcome water scarcity.
Integrate messages about water conservation and environmental responsibility in weekly religious sermons, and install rainwater harvesting systems in mosques. Promoting ecological restoration and using religious influence to encourage environmentally friendly behaviors reinforce community engagement towards sustainability.
**Financing and Partnerships:**
Establish partnerships with international organizations and use specific funding for stormwater management infrastructure. Financial incentives, such as grants for installing rainwater harvesting systems, are necessary to encourage the adoption of water-saving technologies.
Establish international partnerships to share knowledge and technologies to strengthen the collective capacity to effectively manage water resources globally.
We have great hope that initiatives will emerge from everywhere to meet the challenge of preserving the water resource: the source of life. To overcome the scourge of drought and ensure a future of abundance.
