From Thirst to Floods: Navigating the Impact of Climate Change on Global Water Resources

Credit: International Water Association 

Authored by Zainab Hafeez
Edited by Derrick Otim, Princess Avianne Charles and Alice Finno

Recently, the effects of climate change on the world's water supplies have become more noticeable. The delicate balance of our water systems is being drastically changed as global temperatures rise, precipitation patterns change and extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity. According to C40 knowledge hub, more drought-related disasters have occurred since 2000 than in the preceding two decades, and at least 79 megacities have experienced severe water shortages. It is anticipated that the number of urban residents experiencing water scarcity will increase from 933 million in 2016 to 1.69–2.37 billion by 2050. These modifications have wide-ranging and complex effects.

On the one hand, as evaporation rates increase and conventional water cycles are upset by rising temperatures, we face a growing threat of water scarcity. However, with melting glaciers and increased precipitation events overwhelming towns and infrastructures, the threat of flood is increasing. It is now more important than ever to take action in response to these concerns. To guarantee water security and sustainability for both the current and future generations, we must work together. This demands a broad strategy that includes adaptation tactics to increase the resilience of water systems as well as mitigation activities to address the underlying causes of climate change.

Water scarcity

Water scarcity is an urgent issue that affects everyone, regardless of location or socioeconomic level. It is no longer just a far-off concern limited to dry countries or isolated corners of the globe. As per Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, about 2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water, and at least half of the world population does not have enough water half of the year (IPCC).

The changing patterns of precipitation brought about by climate change are elements that contribute to water scarcity. Traditional rainfall patterns are disturbed by rising temperatures, leaving some areas barren and overflowing others with excess water. High temperatures also increase the rate of evaporation, which further depletes surface water reserves and causes water stress. This upsets the hydrological cycle's delicate equilibrium and contributes to the problems associated with water scarcity worldwide.

As per the United Nations (UN), freshwater makes up just 0.5% of the Earth's total water volume, and climate change is seriously threatening this supply. Terrestrial water storage, which includes soil moisture, snow, and ice, has decreased at a pace of 1 centimeter per year over the past 20 years, having significant implications for water security. Water scarcity has effects that go well beyond environmental concerns,affecting every aspect of human existence.

Water Scarcity. Picture Credit: UNICEF

Water scarcity in agriculture, which is the backbone of many communities, results in declining crop yields, lower output from livestock, and unstable economic conditions. The majority of this load falls on smallholder farmers, especially those in developing nations. They struggle with declining yields and food insecurity as agricultural land becomes dry and irrigation supplies run out. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a person's daily diet requires between 2000 and 5000 liters of water. Hence, the majority of freshwater utilized — roughly 70% on average — is used for agriculture. Climate change, population growth, and increasing water scarcity put a strain on the food supply.

Drought

Long-term low precipitation cycles decrease surface water reserves and soil moisture, resulting in severe shortages of available water, which causes droughts, and climate change makes these natural phenomena worse. High temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, which contributes to the drying out of soil and makes drought conditions worse. In addition, modified precipitation patterns, which are marked by heightened unpredictability and frequency of extreme weather occurrences, have a role in the initiation and continuation of droughts by disrupting established water cycles and intensifying water scarcity in susceptible areas.

Droughts cause severe damage to agriculture, resulting in decreased yields and extensive losses for both crops and cattle. For example, the 2012 drought led to the declaration of a natural disaster across a large area of the United States. 

The consequences of drought can heavily impact transportation systems since reduced river levels limit trade, and intense heat can destroy infrastructure and make travel more difficult. Concerns about grid stress are raised by the unavailability of hydroelectric power and the rise in demand for electricity during heat waves, which affects the reliability of energy output. For instance, recently, Spain has been  experiencing the worst drought ever recorded. According to Al Jazeera, if there won’t be any rainfall in the next few months, the Catalan government may be forced to order two ships per day to carry water from Valencia to Barcelona.

The church of Sant Romà de Sau, once flooded to build a dam in the 1950s. Photograph Credit: Ajit Niranjan -The Guardian

Governments need to take proactive steps to strengthen their ability to withstand droughts. To predict drought conditions and enable prompt actions, this involves establishing strong monitoring and early warning systems. Water security can also be strengthened in the event of a drought by funding a variety of infrastructure options, such as desalination facilities, water reuse programs, and rainwater collection projects. To improve resilience and protect against the socioeconomic effects of droughts, multilevel planning that includes both long-term investment goals and short-term contingency actions is crucial.

Floods:

Floods are caused by several variables changing our environment, and they are exacerbated by climate change. Climate change worsens the effects of heavy rains, overwhelming drainage systems and causing widespread floods. Urbanization and deforestation are two examples of changes in land use and cover (LULC) that modify natural landscapes by decreasing soil permeability and increasing runoff, both of which increase the risk of flooding. Furthermore, as a result of rising temperatures, glaciers are melting and releasing enormous amounts of water, which in turn, increases river flows and the risk of flooding downstream.

Communities suffer greatly from flooding, which has a wide range of destructive effects that persist long after the waters subside. Affected areas suffer from loss of life and property, including agricultural destruction, infrastructure damage, and human casualties; flash floods are especially deadly because of their quick onset. According to a report provided by the UN, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) states that, since 2000, flood-related disasters have risen by 134% compared with the two previous decades. Most of the flood-related deaths and economic losses were recorded in Asia.

In 2022 Pakistan experienced the worst flood ever recorded: a third of Pakistan was under water, almost 13.000 people were injured and more than 17.000 people lost their lives. Investing in early warning systems for floods and other water-related risks pays off tenfold and reduces the chance of disasters significantly. It is astonishing to learn that even a 24-hour notice of an approaching storm can reduce subsequent damages by 30 percent. These systems play a crucial role in fostering resilience and lessening the catastrophic effects of water-related disasters by protecting vital infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems, in addition to saving lives.

Youth Initiatives

Since 16 percent of the world's population is under the age of 30, young people are becoming more and more acknowledged as key players in promoting a future that is low-carbon and climate-resilient. Their increasing engagement in the advocacy of climate change highlights the transformative capacity to influence policy and action. Notably, young-led initiatives like "Fridays for Future" have played a significant role in bringing climate change to the forefront of international discussion. 

Beyond activism, young people are changing the world at the local level as well. An example of this is the Maldives' "Save the Beach" movement, which aims to conserve and protect the nation's beaches and reefs. As Dr. Hassan Aboelnga says, “Taking the youth seriously is not an option but an urgent priority for many countries to achieve water security." 

“Save the Beach”: Youth movement to conserve and protect the nation's beaches and reefs.
Photograph Credit: Save the Beach Maldives

Global Initiatives

The Global Water Partnership (GWP), and the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) work together with over 30 expert partner organizations worldwide to help nations implement Integrated Flood Management (IFM) within the more comprehensive framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM),  Their goal is to minimize the loss of life and livelihoods while maximizing the use of floodplains. APFM provides training resources and capacity-building programs through their Helpdesk to assist nations in successfully implementing the IFM methodology.

The global goal of the Integrated Drought Management Program (IDMP) is to improve drought management. The program helps stakeholders at all levels by offering managerial support, policy direction, and information sharing. In order to improve drought management across three major pillars: monitoring and early warning systems, vulnerability and effect assessment, and preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts. IDMP focuses on enhancing collaboration across international, regional, and national expert institutions.

It is becoming increasingly clear that cooperative efforts, creative solutions, and preventative actions are critical for constructing resilience and sustainability as we negotiate the complex issues presented by climate change and water resource management. There are promising approaches to deal with these urgent problems, ranging from putting integrated flood and drought control programs into place to utilizing the transformational potential of young advocacy. We can set the path for a more just and climate-resilient future for all by encouraging global cooperation, making investments in resilient infrastructure, and giving communities the tools they need to adapt and prosper in the face of climate-related difficulties.

Author

Zainab Hafeez

Zainab Hafeez has written a series of engaging articles on topics related to Earth sciences, climate change, sustainability, and renewable resources on Medium. She has completed her Bachelor's studies in Earth Sciences and is currently pursuing an MPhil degree in GIS and Remote Sensing. Zainab serves as a Relief Ambassador for Climate Forward Pakistan and is an active volunteer with Service Civil International.