Water and Climate Change : Impacts on Groundwater Resources and Adaptation Options
Adaptation to climate impacts on groundwater resources in developed and developing countries has not received adequate attention. This reflects the often poorly understood impacts of climate change, the hidden nature of groundwater and the general...
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Working Paper |
Language: | English en_US |
Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2017
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/659981468162559562/Water-and-climate-change-impacts-on-groundwater-resources-and-adaptation-options http://hdl.handle.net/10986/27857 |
Summary: | Adaptation to climate impacts on
groundwater resources in developed and developing countries
has not received adequate attention. This reflects the often
poorly understood impacts of climate change, the hidden
nature of groundwater and the general neglect of groundwater
management. Many developing countries are highly reliant on
groundwater. Given expectations of reduced supply in many
regions and growing demand, pressure on groundwater
resources is set to escalate. This is a crucial problem and
demands urgent action. This report addresses the impacts of
climate change on groundwater and adaptation options. The
Earth's climate is projected to become warmer and more
variable. Increased global temperatures are projected to
affect the hydrologic cycle, leading to changes in
precipitation patterns and increases in the intensity and
frequency of extreme events; reduced snow cover and
widespread melting of ice; rising sea levels; and changes in
soil moisture, runoff and groundwater recharge. Increased
evaporation and the risk of flooding and drought could
adversely affect security of water supply, particularly
surface water. Due to these pressures, as well as global
population growth, demand for groundwater is likely to increase. |
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