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| − | Climate change is already and will continue to affect the availability of water. | + | Climate change is already and will continue to affect the availability of water. |
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| − | = Effects of Climate Change = | + | = Background<br/> = |
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| | + | There are five prima<span style="font-size:15px">ry categories: </span><span style="font-size:15px"><ref>Peter H. Gleick (editor), 1993, Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World's Fresh Water Resources (Oxford University Press, New York).</ref></span> |
| | + | *<span style="font-size:15px">oceans</span><span style="font-size:15px"></span> (96.5 %)<br/> |
| | + | *<span style="font-size:15px">liquid freshwater</span> (frozen freshwater in glacier and permafrost, 2 %)<br/> |
| | + | *<span style="font-size:15px">non-seasonal frozen water (depends on season)</span> <br/> |
| | + | *<span style="font-size:15px">groundwater</span> (1.6 %) and<br/> |
| | + | *<span style="font-size:15px">water vapor, lakes and rivers</span> (< 1 %).<br/> |
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| | + | = Effects of Climate Change<br/> = |
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| | == Precipitation == | | == Precipitation == |
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| | = References = | | = References = |
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| − | <references /> | + | <references /><br/> |
Revision as of 17:26, 31 May 2013
Climate change is already and will continue to affect the availability of water.
Background
There are five primary categories: [1]
- oceans (96.5 %)
- liquid freshwater (frozen freshwater in glacier and permafrost, 2 %)
- non-seasonal frozen water (depends on season)
- groundwater (1.6 %) and
- water vapor, lakes and rivers (< 1 %).
Effects of Climate Change
Precipitation
Climate Change results in a change of precipitation patterns that differ substantially from region to region. It is likely that rainfall increases in high latitudes and the tropics. This is related to an increase in the average river runoff. Subtropic and low-latitude regions (esp.the Mediterranean basin, western USA, southern Africa and north-eastern Brazil) will experience less precipitation. Heavy storms have been happening more frequently.[2]
Soils
Furthermore, soil moisture affected. Back in the 1970ies half of the area that is today classified as very dry was fertile.[3]
Ice melting
Climate change substantially contributed to the melting of mountain glaciers as well as the ice at the poles. The availability of water in regions that are traditionally supplied by glacier water is lowered, affecting the lives of about 15 % of the world population. Also, seasonal differences in water supply are affected: The ratio of winter to annual water flow is lower, too. [4]
The changes in water quantity that climate change brings about are very likely to negatively affect food security and public health. Additionally the existing water infrastructure (power plants, flood defences, drainage, and irrigation systems) will face major challenges when dealing with the expected quality and quantity of water. Climate Change will further aggravate the current issues with regard to urbanisation, land management, population growth, economic intensification. The water management systems applied today don't sufficiently prepare for the upcoming changes. [5]
References
- ↑ Peter H. Gleick (editor), 1993, Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World's Fresh Water Resources (Oxford University Press, New York).
- ↑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2008): Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water. Finalized at the 37th Session of the IPCC Bureau. http://www.ipcc.ch/meetings/session28/doc13.pdf [accessed 31 May 2013]
- ↑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2008): Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water. Finalized at the 37th Session of the IPCC Bureau. http://www.ipcc.ch/meetings/session28/doc13.pdf [accessed 31 May 2013]
- ↑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2008): Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water. Finalized at the 37th Session of the IPCC Bureau. http://www.ipcc.ch/meetings/session28/doc13.pdf [accessed 31 May 2013]
- ↑ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2008): Technical Paper on Climate Change and Water. Finalized at the 37th Session of the IPCC Bureau. http://www.ipcc.ch/meetings/session28/doc13.pdf [accessed 31 May 2013]
