One of the most tangible consequences of Earth’s climate response to global warming is a looming global freshwater crisis. Identifying current and future water resources and stresses is a seminal challenge for developing strategies for the sustainable delivery of drinking water to cities, for efficient agricultural practices and for any long-term exploitation of hydroelectric power. In this module you will read papers investigating consequences of global warming for the long-term viability of key coastal aquifers around the world and for water resources in BC. You will also read a provocative paper that explores how to manage this crisis in an increasingly urbanized world with an expanding population. Finally, time-permitting we will read a novel paper that explores the question of why the poor are particularly susceptible to impacts of the extreme weather variability that is a characteristic feature of global warming. This has been a hard year for flooding on the east coast of the US and 2020 was the ten year anniversary of hurricane Katrina and so it is a good time to explore why it was such a profound disaster for New Orleans and communities around the Gulf of Mexico.
Learning Goals for This Module (TBA)
Reading:
Identification of local water resource vulnerability to rapid deglaciation in Alberta
Anderson and Radic
Why are freshwater resources emerging to be arguably the most important challenge we face?
The vulnerability of coastal aquifers to groundwater use and climate change
Ferguson and Gleeson
Projecting the future of freshwater resources in BC with global warming
Clarke et al.
What are key management challenges and strategies in an increasingly urbanized world with a rapidly expanding population?
Managing freshwater resources on an increasingly urbanized planet
McDonald et al.
Lessons from Lagos: Critical links between global warming and housing rights in an increasingly urbanized world
Why are the poor consistently at greater risk to impacts of floods, droughts and other examples of extreme weather variability?
Ajibade and McBean
