Sustaining the Flow of the World's Rivers

Abstract

This article reports on the 2007 International Riversymposium and Environmental Flow Conference held in Brisbane, Australia. The conference featured more than 150 presentations describing the ongoing degradation of rivers and the socioeconomic effects the degradation is having on the people who depend on rivers for their livelihoods. Some of the presentations also offered some field‐tested solutions for better protecting or restoring rivers. Particular focus was given to maintaining adequate river flows (referred to as environmental flows or instream flows). Some of the world's largest rivers now dry up on a regular basis before reaching the sea because their waters are heavily used for irrigation and as urban water supplies. Conference participants reached a consensus that there is no single, scientifically correct answer to the question of how much water a river needs to remain healthy. They concluded that the environmental flow needs of a particular river should instead be determined through an integrated social and scientific dialogue in which societal goals for the river are first defined. The article provides copies of The Brisbane Declaration and Global Action Agenda (summary findings and a global action agenda that addresses the urgent need to protect rivers globally).