Effect of Climate Change on Water Resources

Climate change is one of the global issue that would affect the sustainable development of many regions. The objective of this review is the effect of climate change on water resources. Climate change affects certain components of the hydrological cycle, especially precipitation and runoff. A change in climate can alter the spatial and temporal availability of water resources. The effects of minor levels of climate change are already being felt, with impacts across many economic sectors. These changes will result in increased floods and drought, which will have significant impacts on the availability of freshwater. These impacts on freshwater will be further compounded by rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. In general a warmer climate will accelerate the hydrologic cycle, altering rainfall, magnitude and timing of run-off.