In this Section

Issues: Global Warming

In Hot Water
Water Management Strategies to Weather the Effects of Global Warming

Drought and dry conditions withering the western United States are likely to persist and intensify, jeapordizing the region's water supply and water quality, compromising the health of rivers and lakes, and increasing the risk of flooding for Western communities. As stewards of these scarce resources, water managers can lead the response to the effects of global warming on water in the West. This NRDC report breaks new ground by analyzing the effects of global warming on a full range of water management tools and offering recommendations to meet the challenge. As the hotter, drier weather already afflicting the region becomes more common, officials responsible for keeping the taps flowing will need to take bold measures now, including conservation and efficiency, and supporting measures to control and reduce global warming in the future.

OVERVIEW & QUICK REFERENCE [En Español]
Press release

FULL REPORT IN PDF
Adobe Acrobat file (size: 2 MB)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Links indicate sections available as individual pdfs)
Executive Summary
Chapter 1: An Overview of Major Scientific Findings on Climate Change
Chapter 2: How Climate Change Will Affect Western Water Supply and Management
Chapter 3: The Water and Energy Connection
Chapter 4: A Guide for Water Managers: Designing a Comprehensive Response to Climate Change
Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendix A: Case Studies: Water Agency Action on Climate Change
Appendix B: Decoupling Population Growth and Water Use
Endnotes