Water – vulnerable to climate change
For thousands of years we have found it necessary to control water – in order to have it where we want it, when we want it. Nonetheless, some areas still suffer from drought, and some from flood. This is due partly to the natural variability of climate and partly to inappropriate land and water use. Now climate seems to be changing beyond that natural variability, and this is likely to impact on the availability and distribution of water.
At the same time, other stresses on water are increasing. The amount of fresh water is limited, and the easily accessible sources have been developed. Not only do more people than ever before have to share this resource, but the world population is expected to double by 2050, if it continues to grow at the present rate.
A larger population will not only use more water but will discharge more wastewater. Water quality programs are not fully developed even in the industrialized countries and are nonexistent in most developing countries, where they are most needed. Furthermore, the costs for managing water supplies are increasing, as are the demands on limited financial resources.
To sum up, we may now have to consider the effects on water of not only the natural variability of climate and more population pressure but also what appears to be a change in climate that is brought about by human activity.
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