Stoffel, Markus; Kundzewicz, Zbigniew W; Benson, Martin --- "Fresh water resources and climate change" [2018] ELECD 1245; in Tignino, Mara; Bréthaut, Christian (eds), "Research Handbook on Freshwater Law and International Relations" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 260

Book Title: Research Handbook on Freshwater Law and International Relations

Editor(s): Tignino, Mara; Bréthaut, Christian

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781785360640

Section: Chapter 11

Section Title: Fresh water resources and climate change

Author(s): Stoffel, Markus; Kundzewicz, Zbigniew W; Benson, Martin

Number of pages: 20

Abstract/Description:

Freshwater is naturally occurring on the Earth’s surface in the form of lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, ice sheets, and glaciers; it also occurs below the surface in the form of groundwater. Freshwater only accounts for ~2.5% of total global water, but only 1% is stored in lakes, rivers, streams and lakes. Freshwater resources are critically influenced by agriculture and land-use changes, the construction and management of reservoirs, emission of pollutants, as well as by water and wastewater treatment. Any changes in freshwater resources are ultimately linked by these socio-economic drivers, as well as by climate change. This chapter addresses impacts of climate change on runoff and water availability in the Rhone River (Switzerland and France), where ongoing warming favours the downwasting of glaciers and increases the need for irrigation. We provide insights into how runoff and water availability in this alpine stream are likely to change by the end of the 21st century.