Climate change is significantly accelerating the world’s water cycle, causing increasing interest in freshwater supply, water quality, and the sustainability of water infrastructure in the world.
The water cycle and its change with climate change.
The increase in the level of greenhouse gases has had a great impact on the movement of water within the environment, in that it has led to an acceleration in the evaporation process, changes in precipitation patterns, and an increase in the occurrence of extreme weather conditions. The scientific laws, e.g. Clausius-Clapeyron equation, indicate that the capacity of air to accommodate water vapour increases by 7%
With every 1degC increase in temperature, that is, both floods and droughts are becoming more severe. This impact is evident in different parts of the world, whereby in certain places, there has been increased heavy precipitation and floods, whereas in others, there has been a deeper and prolonged drought.
The rate of evaporation is increasing, and the lakes, rivers and reservoirs are depleting at a faster rate.
There is an increase in rain and storms, which cause more powerful floods and a threat of engineering destruction.
Less rainfall is being experienced in the drought-prone areas, which has resulted in increased and severe water shortages.
Freshwater Shortage and Water Security
As the climate heats:
Snowpack’s, important water reservoirs in cold regions, are shrinking and melting earlier every year, leading to diminished, reliable flows into rivers and storage. Groundwater reserves are under pressure from both increased usage and diminished recharge, especially in drought years and in agricultural regions.
By 2025, approximately 1.9 billion people are estimated to live in areas of absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the global population will face water stress of some type.
Extreme events affect water security and add uncertainty around the planning of water infrastructures. Communities are more likely, for both floods and contaminant runoff, to have inconsistent water supplies.
Decreasing Water Quality
Heavy rains increase the runoff of sediments, fertilisers, and pathogens, forming blooms of harmful algal that impact ecosystems and human health.
Saltwater intrusion will contaminate rivers and aquifers as sea level rises, and droughts become more severe, which will further hinder the ability to access freshwater.
Increased water temperatures will cause eutrophication and reduce the quality of water that has a direct effect on agriculture, fisheries or potable water supply.
Communities of indigenous and low-income populations, which are already struggling with water issues.
Resilience Solutions to a Resilient Future.
There are several ways through which communities and individuals can decrease their exposure to climate risks to water; these include:
Invest in water and nature-based infrastructure upgrading to be water resilient.
Use water more efficiently at home, in manufacturing and in agriculture.
Rehabilitate watersheds and guard groundwater recharge zones, as well as conduct sustainable land management to maintain water quality as well as water supplies.
Be ready to be variable and employ flexible and adaptive management styles. water resources planning and water utilities.
Conclusion
Climate change is altering the water cycle, and it is redefining the availability, timing, and freshness of water and the availability of safe water to be utilised. Ecological healing, investment in resilient infrastructure, and implementing sensible water stewardship can assist in ensuring the future generations of water despite the ongoing climate change.