1. Lack of information and data at a time when we need it more than ever to deal with increasing complexity OU
The challenge of dealing with the impacts of climate change, and taking account of the other external driving forces, is compounded by the lack of information and data.
Note that in the figure above, only the blue dots are up-to-date. The others are discontinued.
Distribution of Global Runoff Data Centre streamflow gauges (Figure 13.1)

2. Opening the “water box”OU
Managing water resources is essential to social and economic development, poverty reduction and equity and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Specialists and managers in the water domain, or “water box” – supply and sanitation, hydropower, irrigation and flood control – have long been aware of this. But they often have a narrow, sectoral perspective that blinds many decisions on water. And they do not make the decisions on development objectives and financial resources needed to meet these broader objectives.
These decisions are made or influenced by leaders in government, the private sector and civil society. In other words, they are made by people “outside the water box”. These leaders must recognize water’s role in attaining their objectives and act accordingly.
Decision-making affecting water (Figure 1.1)