Extended Abstract (1.2M)1A.3
Opportunities to Anticipate and Adapt to the Effects of Climate Change on Water Quality
Joel Scheraga, EPA, Washington, DC
Climate change is affecting the global water cycle. As the earth warms, the hydrologic cycle is intensifying, leading to changes in the amount, timing and distribution of precipitation. Also, it is leading to more extremes, such as intense storms and droughts. Combined with the direct effects of temperature on evapotranspiration and sea level rise, the availability and quality of water will be affected. Limited attention has been paid in the scientific literature to the implications of climate change for water quality (as opposed to water quantity). This has resulted in limited development of information and tools that can be used by water resource managers to understand, anticipate, and adapt to the risks and opportunities presented by a changing climate. In some cases, this lack of “decision support resources” may have serious repercussions since irreversible decisions are being made today (e.g., about investments in expensive and long-lived infrastructure) that are not informed about the effects climate change will have on the effectiveness of the investments and the resulting environmental and human health outcomes. This presentation will discuss the potential effects of climate change on water quality, and the opportunities that exist for water resource managers to anticipate and adapt to a changing climate. It will be demonstrated that sufficient scientific information already exists to develop practical, hands-on tools that enable water resources managers to incorporate climate change into their decision making to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Session 1A, Adaptation to Climate Change
Monday, 21 January 2008, 9:00 AM-10:15 AM, 215-216
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