Effects of Climate Change and Management

Question 1

Expected effects on precipitation

Answer 1

Increase in high latitudes and part of tropics, decrease in some subtropical and low-mid latitudes

Question 2

Expected effects on variability and intensity

Answer 2

Increased precipitation intensity and variability, increased risk of flooding and drought

Question 3

Expected effects on water supplies on glaciers and snowpack

Answer 3

Decreased supply which changes water availability in warm and dry periods

Question 4

Expected effects on annual average river runoff and water availability

Answer 4

Increase in runoff and availability (?) at high latitudes and some wet tropic areas, decrease in runoff and availability (?) over some dry-mid latitudes and in dry tropics ex: Mediterranean, Western US, Southern Africa

Question 5

Negative effect on water quality and water pollution

Answer 5

…

Question 6

Expected effect on water availability

Answer 6

By 2025, roughly two thirds of world population would be living under water stressed conditions. It will also displace hundreds of millions of people

Question 7

Climate change management

Answer 7

Mitigation = energy system
Adaptation = water, agriculture

Question 8

Complex water management issue

Answer 8

Water is badly or not managed everywhere (although there is enough water with proper management)
Primary issue is lack of political will and capacity (corruption and institutional disfunction)
Science is needed for policy making and effective water management

Question 9

Water management (adaptation)

Answer 9

• Supply management ex: locating, developing and exploiting sources
• Demand management ex: mechanisms promoting water conservation and efficient use

Question 10

Supply management possibilities

Answer 10

• Building dams
• Importing water
• Desalination
• Wastewater treatment and re-use

Question 11

Water demand management (affluence)

Answer 11

• Restrictions/limits

- Pricing