Water for people.pdf - WHO Thailand Digital Repository

S I G N I N G P R O G R E S S : I N D I C A T O R S M A R K T H E W A Y / 3 1The woods are lovely, dark and deep,But I have promises to keep,And miles to go before I sleep,And miles to go before I sleep.Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy EveningTHE EXPRESSION ‘EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE’ is often heard, but isdifficult to counter as there is some truth to the argument.Indicators, however, change this status quo and establish a commonground, enabling us to compare and draw conclusions from areas as vast asentire regions to the smallest drainage basins. They are the tools that allowus to know where we are, to measure what we have accomplished, andwhat yet needs to be achieved.The importance of indicators cannot be overestimated, as it is they thatwill allow for informed, rational decisions and actions to be taken. Indicatorsare thus at the heart of our book’s mission – taking stock for people andplanet.This chapter offers an overview of the concept of indicators and of theWorld Water Assessment Programme’s (WWAP’s) construction of a base uponwhich future indicators can be further developed. We are, however, only in theinitial stages of this important project – the journey of a thousand milesbegins with a single step.