The Governance of Water: What Is at Stake for Our Planet?
What role does ecohydrology play in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring fair water distribution? How can research help us adapt to the changing environment? These are the key questions explored in Professor Andrea Rinaldo’s work, discussed in this podcast.
In the latest episode of the Arqus Knowledge Pills podcast, we dive deep into ecohydrology with a special guest, Professor Andrea Rinaldo, a leading expert in water resources and hydrology. Professor Rinaldo is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Padua and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). He was awarded the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize in 2023 for his outstanding contributions to the field of water research.
In this episode, we explore the critical importance of ecohydrology, a field that studies the interactions between water systems and ecosystems. Professor Rinaldo discusses the value of natural capital and how understanding the relationship between water, ecosystems, and human activities is vital to addressing the challenges of climate change, water distribution, and resource management. He also delves into the concept of “beauty” in the landscape, sharing how the cultural value of natural environments can be integrated into our development plans.
As we face increasingly urgent issues like droughts, floods, and pandemics, Professor Rinaldo reflects on how his research provides insights into adapting to these changes, ensuring the fair distribution of water resources, and preventing future health crises.
Additionally, the episode touches on his personal connection to Venice, his hometown, where his research into water governance and environmental protection is especially pertinent. Professor Rinaldo shares his thoughts on the future of this iconic city as it grapples with rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges.
Learn more about Andrea Rinaldo:
Andrea Rinaldo is an Italian hydrologist and engineer, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to ecohydrology and water resource management. He is Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at the University of Padova and Director of the Laboratory of Ecohydrology (ECHO) at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the world’s first laboratory dedicated to ecohydrology, which he founded in 2008.He has also collaborated with institutions like MIT and Princeton University. In 2023, he received the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize for his impactful research in hydrology, hydrogeomorphology, and epidemiology, advancing strategies to protect biodiversity and control waterborne diseases.
Rinaldo played for Italy’s national rugby team in the 1970s and remains active in the sport at the managerial level. He is a member of several prestigious academies, including the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. With over 320 peer-reviewed publications, he has also written works for a broader audience, including Del rugby. Verso una ecologia della palla ovale (2017) and Il governo dell’acqua (2023), exploring environmental and climate issues.
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