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Climate Change is Real How can Utilities Cope with Potential Risks?
Author(s) -
Smith Joel B.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2008.tb01959.x
Subject(s) - climate change , greenhouse gas , environmental science , water resources , miami , global warming , aquifer , water quality , environmental resource management , environmental planning , effects of global warming , water resource management , environmental protection , natural resource economics , groundwater , engineering , ecology , geotechnical engineering , soil science , economics , biology
This article discusses the acceleration of climate change and how it will affect water resources and water utilities, and offers strategies for preparing for future change. Factors causing climate change include rising global temperatures and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Effects on water resources are listed, along with approaches utilities can take to cope with changes. Three case studies are summarized and include: climate change affecting coastal aquifers in Miami‐Dade County, Florida; using wildfire experience to assess and mitigate vulnerabilities by Denver Water in the Hayman fire experience; and, climate variability influencing water quality as seen by New York City's Department of Environmental Protection.