Leading scientists published a call to the UN on Sunday, saying that rain, and the way it is managed, is what will determine whether hunger and poverty can be eradicated in the world.
According to a press release from the World Water Week, the call was made at the onset of the World Water Week in Stockholm -- the leading annual meeting place for water and development issues.
The signatories of the declaration are scientists from institutions such as Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Stockholm Resilience Centre, Global Water Partnership (GWP), University of Oxford, etc.
"The world is missing a chance to eradicate hunger and poverty for billions of people living in regions with variable and scarce rainfall. Without improved management of rainwater, the future development goals currently being discussed are unrealistic," leading scientists said.
Attempting to eradicate global poverty and hunger without addressing the productivity of rain "is a serious and unacceptable omission", and the Sustainable Development Goals as currently proposed "cannot be achieved without a strong focus on sustainable and resilient management of rainfall for resilient food production", the scientists say.
The signatories call upon the United Nations to add a target on rainwater management to any Hunger Goal in the Sustainable Development Goals, which are to be agreed on in 2015.
Organised by the SIWI, the World Water Week in Stockholm is an annual international event where multi-actors engage in water and development issues, and this year's theme is Energy and Water.
The event brings together around 2,500 experts, practitioners, decision makers and business innovators from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions.
During the event, Stockholm Water Prize, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, Stockholm Industry Water Award will be awarded.