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Agriculture & Environment: Water security & climate change

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Climate change will certainly impact global and regional water resources, but the exact consequences for water security remain unclear. Our Spotlight examines how well scientists can predict the problems and what can policymakers do to prepare.

(Photo credit: Flickr/whl.travel)

Introduction

Getting water from well in India

Water security and climate change: how science can help

Policymakers need better information about the regional impact of climate change on water supplies, and on ways of adapting to it.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Features

Cracked earth at edge of lake

Water security and climate change: Facts and figures

Climate change will affect the water security of developing countries. Lucinda Mileham explores their priorities as they struggle to cope.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Water collecting tank

A roof, a tank and rain

All it takes is a roof, a gutter and a tank to lift the poor out of water drudgery. But is it that simple, ask Aisling Irwin and Aditya Ghosh?

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Opinions

Farmers set up water pump for irrigation

Small-scale solutions key to water security

Small-scale water solutions are a key to increasing agricultural productivity in the face of climate change, says water expert David Molden.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Limpopo

We need a new metric for water scarcity in Africa

The current way of assessing water scarcity in Africa should be abandoned in favour of one designed for local realities, argues Richard Taylor.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Boy carrying water

Water storage requires evidence-based approach

Coping with climate change requires a greater understanding of the options for water storage, writes hydrology expert Matthew McCartney.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Cycling through flood, Sudan

Water security in an uncertain world

Policymakers must find flexible plans to ensure water security despite the uncertainties of climate change, says climate scientist Mark New.

15 September 2010 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

Policy Briefs

Woman irrigating lemon crop, Philippines

Adapting agricultural water to climate change

Strategies to reduce rural poverty in the face of climate change will largely depend on improving water management in agriculture.

15 September 2010 | EN

Source: Overseas Development Institute

Indian boy at water pump

Harnessing the benefits of groundwater

Groundwater storage can improve water security and help poor communities adapt to climate change.

15 September 2010 | EN

Source: International Water Management Institute