Prof. Dr. Mariele Evers, who currently holds the prestigious UNESCO Chair in Human-Water-Systems at the University of Bonn, has dedicated her academic and professional activities to understanding the complex intersections between hydrology, ecosystems, and human societies. In her interview with Vatican News—and during her related speaking engagements at the German Embassy in Rome—she placed water at the absolute center of the climate change discourse.
Prof. Dr. Evers actively advocates for a paradigm shift in how international policymakers approach global warming. She explains that rising temperatures directly disrupt the earth's natural water cycle, acting as a transmitter that intensifies hydrological extremes like severe droughts and devastating floods. Her core research activities focus on eco-hydrology, flood risk management, and the co-production of data to assist political decision-making. By analyzing the ecosystem services of floodplains and evaluating the resilience of global watersheds, her work provides vital tools for sustainable environmental planning.
Furthermore, Prof. Evers is highly active on the international stage, regularly participating in global conferences and advising institutions on climate adaptation strategies. She consistently urges international bodies at summits like COP to prioritize global water security. For Evers, implementing socio-technical approaches and empowering local communities to protect their natural resources are critical steps. Her ongoing mission is to ensure that water is no longer treated as a side topic, but rather recognized as the key to navigating and mitigating the impacts of climate change.