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- Water managers have experience with adapting to change.
Many techniques exist to assess and implement adaptive
options. However, the pervasiveness of climate change may
preclude some traditional adaptive strategies, and available
adaptations often are not used.
- Adaptation can involve management on the supply side
(e.g., altering infrastructure or institutional arrangements)
and on the demand side (changing demand or risk reduction).
Numerous no-regret policies exist, which will generate
net social benefits regardless of climate change.
- Climate change is just one of numerous pressures facing
water managers. Nowhere are water management decisions
taken solely to cope with climate change, although it is
increasingly considered for future resource management.
Some vulnerabilities are outside the conventional responsibility
of water managers.
- Estimates of the economic costs of climate change impacts
on water resources depend strongly on assumptions made
about adaptation. Economically optimum adaptation may be
prevented by constraints associated with uncertainty, institutions,
and equity.
- Extreme events often are catalysts for change in water
management, by exposing vulnerabilities and raising awareness
of climate risks. Climate change modifies indicators of
extremes and variability, complicating adaptation decisions.
- Ability to adapt is affected by institutional capacity,
wealth, management philosophy, planning time scale, organizational
and legal framework, technology, and population mobility.
- Water managers need research and management tools aimed
at adapting to uncertainty and change, rather than improving
climate scenarios. |
