FROM THE HILL
Drawing upon internationally recog- nized faculty expertise, UNC plans to mobilize around water through
a new two-year, campuswide academic
theme called “Water in Our World.”
UNC will be working to ensure that
safe and available water — critical for the
health of individuals, for economies and
for social development — is
accessible to people throughout
the world.
“Water in Our World” officially launched on World
Water Day 2012 in March. The
day has been recognized by the United
Nations and the global community to
emphasize that the world faces a global
water, sanitation and hygiene crisis.
Carolina experts say demand for water
is expected to intensify with more eco-
nomic growth and development as the
world’s population hits 9 billion or more
by midcentury. Estimates vary regarding
how many people in the world have to
rely on water that is unsafe, but new
research published by the University’s
Water Institute reports that 1. 8 billion peo-
ple around the world — 28 percent of the
population — use unsafe water. Millions
reportedly die annually from water-related
health problems, and two of the most fre-
quent natural disasters — floods and
droughts — hinge on water.
Tackling a key issue facing
society was a top recommendation in the University’s 2011
Academic Plan, a statement of
objectives, priorities and the
roadmap for the future. Taking a cam-
puswide approach to that charge through
the water theme marks a first in recent
University history.
“Carolina exists to help solve the
world’s problems, including securing and
protecting access to water for a healthier
planet,” said Chancellor Holden Thorp
’ 86. “[‘Water in Our World’] is a perfect
springboard for engaging and inspiring the
campus to do even more to meet the chal-
lenge of sustainability. It’s a great opportu-
nity to show how Carolina fosters scholar-
ship that helps improve people’s lives.”
Proposed by faculty and units at the
forefront of water research globally and
endorsed by the Faculty Council, the water
theme aims to energize and guide activity
across diverse schools, programs, centers
and institutes. The Global Research Insti-
tute and its fellows program, UNC Global,
the Institute for the Environment, the
Water Institute and the Institute for Global
Health and Infectious Diseases have com-
mitted the next two academic years to this
effort. Students and faculty experts work in
fields with multiple water connections such
as public policy, planning, sustainable
development, environmental engineering,
business, law, marine sciences, natural haz-
ards and disasters, and global health.
The initiative’s objectives include spark-
Water continued on page 4
UNC Launches Initiative on Water and Global Health
Associate Professor
Rachel Noble of the
UNC Institute of
Marine Sciences
takes water samples at Atlantic
Beach near the
institute’s home
in Morehead City.
Noble studies shellfish harvesting,
water quality,
marine microbial
ecology and coastal
and estuarine water
quality.
