The Waterpocalypse: Urbanisation

This World Water Week, we're looking at four of the greatest threats to water across the globe: the Four Horsemen of the Waterpocalypse. Today, we're talking about urbanisation. We haven’t treated our rivers kindly over the years. We have straightened, dammed, deepened, reinforced, diverted, embanked and culverted them for our convenience. These changes have significantly impacted the characteristics of our rivers, altering water flow, sediment movement, fish migration, erosion, and so much more. Urbanisation, industrialisation and agriculture have left a terrible scar on the face of our rivers. It isn’t possible to restore all of our rivers to a pristine state—but we can help to ‘rewild’ them, allowing them to function in the way that nature intended. This will require a multi-sector, catchment-based approach, engaging industries, communities and other organisations in the care of their rivers. That means you can play a key role in the fight to prevent the Waterpocalypse.

The truth about urbanisation:

Urbanisation and industrialisation are necessary components of growth - but the way we currently develop our cities and industries is unsustainable.

• Only 1% of the rivers in England, Scotland and Wales are free of artificial barriers
• Soil is being lost at 10X the rate that it’s being created, and these losses are resulting in agricultural pollution of our rivers.
• Globally, wetland extent is estimated to have declined by more than 50% since 1900. Wetlands are often cleared to make way for new developments. Wetlands act as biodiversity hotspots and store huge amounts of water, so their loss is very worrying.
• Since 1970, there has been a 70% increase in numbers of invasive species across 21 countries. Species like giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam can significantly impact waterways. This increase is likely to be associated with increased trade and tourism—both consequences of industrialisation and urbanisation
• More than a third of the world’s land surface and nearly 75% of freshwater resources are now devoted to crop or livestock production

Watch this short animation on how we can deliver more sustainable solutions for both businesses and the environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe2JWi88grE&t=22s

What are Rivers Trusts doing?

• In 2018, local Rivers Trusts created or restored 73 wetlands, helping to replace those lost as a result of human activity. This has huge implications for water quality, storage and biodiversity. Take a look at this incredible wetland project in North London by Thames21.

Photo credit: Taking the Pixels

• In 2018, we planted 227,787 trees, helping to replace those lost due to the clearance of land for development. Trees can play an amazing role in natural flood management, as well as helping to stabilise riverbanks through their roots. Trees can also protect rivers from pollutants. There are always lots of tree planting opportunities with our local Rivers Trusts, check out our events calendar here. Credit: The Rivers Trust
• Our local Trusts helped to improve 561km of river habitat in 2018 lessening the impacts of urbanisation and industrialisation. Find out about how Don Catchment Rivers Trust will be restoring the River Rother this year to its natural glory. Credit: Don Catchment Rivers Trust

Our Trusts addressed 414 pollution incidents during 2018, some of which helped to mitigate water quality problems arising from urbanisation. Take a look at how Ribble Rivers Trust are tackling water quality in their catchment. Credit: Ribble Rivers Trust

What can you do?

Urbanisation and industrialisation are huge problems which aren’t easy to tackle as an individual. However, you can help to tackle their impacts. One of the best ways to do this is by volunteering with an organisation like ours. This allows you to join a team of like-minded people, working together to achieve a core goal: protecting and improving our rivers.

• Volunteer with your local Rivers Trust
• Donate to help us help rivers recover from the effects of urbanisation
• Fundraise to support our work