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February 5th, 2008
As reported by Terra Daily, a prominent group of hydrologists and climatologists writing in Science magazine argue that climate change has already dramatically altered the water cycle and these changes signal a looming water supply crisis. As the article notes, a picture of future water availability gainers and losers can be projected:
“…Our best current estimates are that water availability will increase substantially in northern Eurasia, Alaska, Canada and some tropical regions, and decrease substantially in southern Europe, the Middle East, southern Africa and southwestern North America,” said lead author Christopher Milly, a research hydrologist with the US Geological Survey.
More frequent droughts can also be expected in drying areas, he added….”
In a separate article in the same journal, researchers linked sharp changes in water supplies in the western United States to global warming. The results, as the second article notes:
“…portend … a coming crisis in water supply for the western United States,” wrote lead author Tim Barnett of the University of California San Diego.
This analysis “foretells of water shortages, lack of storage capability to meet seasonally changing river flow, transfers of water from agriculture to urban uses and other critical impacts.”
“…The handwriting is on the wall… “Mother Nature is going to stop being our water banker.”
…To manage the coming water changes, Udall said, the Western states must begin to adapt. Possible solutions include building more reservoirs, increasing water conservation and diverting water from agriculture to meet the increasing demand from fast-growing cities….”