Today's climate variability already has a large impact on water supply and protection. Millions of people are affected every year by droughts and floods. Future climate change is likely to make things worse. Many people within the water sector are aware that climate change is affecting water resource management, but they are unsure how to incorporate climate information into their management structures. Currently no book is available for students and practitioners in the water sector on how to adapt to climate change and variability. So the main purpose of Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Sector is to offer a compendium of specific adaptation strategies for students, water managers and decision makers.
After reading this book, water professionals and advanced students should feel much more comfortable in using climate data in decision support and/or managing water resources. They will know what kind of data or information on climate change and variability are available and how they can be used within the water sector. This book consists of two parts: the first part describes the general issues and is written mainly by the editors of the book and the second part contains specific case studies. These are drawn from a wide range of contrasting countries, including Australia, Thailand, Netherlands, Germany, Philippines, South Africa, and Yemen. This is the first book to address in detail how the water sector can adapt to climate change. It tackles a hugely important topic, as it affects flooding, water shortages, drinking water, water for sanitation, for industry and for crop irrigation. It is a compendium of international examples of practical adaptation strategies for water managers.
1. Introduction
Part I: Climate Change and Water
2. The Art of Predicting Climate Variability and Change
3. Climate Change Scenarios at the Global and Local Scales
4. The Impacts of Climate Change on Water
5. Managing Water under Current Climate Variability
6. Using Seasonal Climate Forecasts for Water Management
7. Adapting to Climate Change in the Water Sector
8. Climate-proofing
Part II: Case Studies
9. Adaptation to Climate Change and Social Justice: Challenges for Flood and Disaster Management in Thailand
10. Water and Spatial Planning in The Netherlands: Living with Water in the Context of Climate Change
11. Climate Change and Alluvial Aquifers in Arid Regions: Examples from Yemen
12. A Water Utility's Approach to Addressing the Potential Impacts of Climate Change
13. Adaptation Measures for Metropolitan Water Supply for Perth, Western Australia
14. Benefits and Costs of Measures for Coping with Water and Climate Change: Berg River Basin, South Africa
15. Institutional Adaptation to Climate Change: Current Status and Future Strategies in the Elbe Basin, Germany
16. The Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts within a Shared Reservoir System: The Case of Angat Reservoir, the Philippines
Index
Fulco Ludwig is in the Climate Change group of Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands. Pavel Kabat is Full Professor and Chair Holder of the Earth System Science and Climate Change Group at Wageningen UR; Science Director of the Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate (CPWC), The Netherlands; and Science Director of the Dutch National Research Programme on Climate change and Spatial Planning. Henk van Schaik is the Programme Co-ordinator of the CPWC. Michael van der Valk is Communication and Information Coordinator for the CPWC.
"A very timely publication that reflects the current thinking in climate-related water management, and a much-needed contribution to education efforts dealing with global change. Highly recommended to all – students and teachers alike – as a guide to this complex but vital issue!"
– Professor Richard Meganck, Rector, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education
"I welcome this valuable effort, which sheds light on adaptation options for the water sector as a whole. This is an excellent publication that will be essential to anyone involved in water resources management."
– Paul Reiter, Executive Director, International Water Association (IWA)
"Climate change will impact first on water. The water sector worldwide will need to mobilize for climate change adaptation and integrate the needs of both people and nature as it does so. This publication will help water managers meet this challenge."
– Dr Mark Smith, Head, Water Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
"This book is indeed a very timely publication that reflects the current thinking in climate-related water management as a much-needed contribution to education efforts dealing with global change. Highly recommended to all – students and teachers alike, as a guide to this complex but vital issue!"
– Professor Richard Meganck, Rector, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education