H.M. Konungens tal vid bankett i samband med utdelning av Stockholm Water Prize 2022

This year, many parts of the world have experienced record temperatures, extreme droughts and flooding. These days, we see terrible footage from places like Pakistan, where deadly floods put a third of the country under water.

Meanwhile, in other places, dead fish lie scattered on dry river beds.
Both food and energy production are at risk. Floods and drought are two sides of the same coin. And, unfortunately, due to rapid climate change, the situation is likely to get worse.

As a response, many countries now seek to adapt to a changing climate through improved management of water. But to find the right solutions, knowledge is key. We need to understand how water works. Including complex processes such as evaporation and ground water storage.

Ladies and gentlemen, as patron of the Stockholm Water Prize – the world’s most prestigious water award – I am glad to be here this evening to honour this year’s laureate, Professor Wilfried Brutsaert.

Through the years, his innovative perspectives have led to major scientific advances. His work has not only improved our understanding of the complex hydrological cycle: it has also had great significance for practical water management.

Not least, it has contributed to making climate modeling more exact. This is of fundamental importance. Especially to local communities, who need to be able to predict the impacts of climate change on water supply and water resources.

The theme of this year’s World Water Week is “Seeing the unseen”. And this is certainly something that Professor Brutsaert’s groundbreaking research has helped us do.

Professor Brutsaert: we all have reason to be grateful for your work!

Thank you.