Increasing Resilience to Climate Variability and Change: The Roles of Infrastructure and Governance in the Context of Adaptation PDF
Preview Increasing Resilience to Climate Variability and Change: The Roles of Infrastructure and Governance in the Context of Adaptation
Water Resources Development and Management Cecilia Tortajada Editor Increasing Resilience to Climate Variability and Change The Roles of Infrastructure and Governance in the Context of Adaptation Water Resources Development and Management Series Editors Asit K. Biswas, Singapore, Republic of Singapore Cecilia Tortajada, Singapore, Republic of Singapore Editorial Board Dogan Altinbilek, Ankara, Turkey Francisco González-Gómez, Granada, Spain Chennat Gopalakrishnan, Honolulu, USA James Horne, Canberra, Australia David J. Molden, Kathmandu, Nepal Olli Varis, Helsinki, Finland More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/7009 Cecilia Tortajada Editor Increasing Resilience to Climate Variability and Change The Roles of Infrastructure and Governance in the Context of Adaptation 123 Editor Cecilia Tortajada Institute of Water Policy, LeeKuan Yew Schoolof Public Policy National University ofSingapore Singapore Singapore ISSN 1614-810X ISSN 2198-316X (electronic) Water Resources Development andManagement ISBN978-981-10-1913-5 ISBN978-981-10-1914-2 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-1914-2 LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2016946013 ©SpringerScience+BusinessMediaSingapore2016 Thisworkissubjecttocopyright.AllrightsarereservedbythePublisher,whetherthewholeorpart of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission orinformationstorageandretrieval,electronicadaptation,computersoftware,orbysimilarordissimilar methodologynowknownorhereafterdeveloped. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publicationdoesnotimply,evenintheabsenceofaspecificstatement,thatsuchnamesareexemptfrom therelevantprotectivelawsandregulationsandthereforefreeforgeneraluse. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authorsortheeditorsgiveawarranty,expressorimplied,withrespecttothematerialcontainedhereinor foranyerrorsoromissionsthatmayhavebeenmade. Printedonacid-freepaper ThisSpringerimprintispublishedbySpringerNature TheregisteredcompanyisSpringerScience+BusinessMediaSingaporePteLtd. Foreword by Benedito P.F. Braga In the spirit of cooperation that embodies the World Water Council, collaborative thinking is central to shaping approaches to climate resilience. While humanity experiences increasing demographic and socioeconomic stresses, recent episodes of extreme climate around the world bring additional complexities in finding solutions to reduce these stresses. Water is one of the most impacted resources, but water also provides solutions to these challenges. It is key in mitigatingandadaptingtouncertainty,bothnowandin the future. Present climate variability poses important social and economic impacts in the vulnerable, less affluent counties in the world. IPCC reports that extreme hydrological events,suchas droughts andfloods, arelikely to be more intense and frequent in the future. At the same time, increasing demands for multiple water uses (irrigation, hydropower, domestic needs, industrial use, or ecosystems) place additional pressure on already-limited water resources, intensi- fyingcompetitionforwaterwithinandbetweenstatesandraisingtheimportanceof how we manage this precious resource. Increased uncertainty can also reduce the potential for investments, particularly in countries with the greatest needs. In this book, the World Water Council and the Government of Mexico, whose generous support enabled this work to be carried out, drew on influential and inspiring experts worldwide to examine the role of water infrastructure, manage- ment practices, and governance in generating increased resilience under increasing climatic uncertainty. The findings of studies in the following pages from across multiple continents suggest inspiring best-bet options for building and managing water systems that increase resilience to climate change. I am confident that this book will be an important contribution to shaping the watersecurityandsustainabilityagendasinthecomingyears.Inalignmentwiththe role of the World Water Council, this endeavour seeks to encourage continued v vi ForewordbyBeneditoP.F.Braga dialog between the scientific community and decision-makers for better water management under uncertainty. Importantly, it also moves us another step forward towards improving understanding between water and climate change professionals—because after all, climate is water. Benedito P.F. Braga President of the World Water Council Foreword by Roberto Ramirez de la Parra Climate change is a reality affecting all productive, economic, social, and environmental sectors. However, itseffectsaremainlyreflectedinthehydrologicalcycle behavior and temperature anomalies, which result in substantial changes in the average rainfall patterns and in the frequency and intensity of extraordinary hydro-meteorological phenomena (droughts and floods). In particular, precipitation variation and the conse- quential surface runoffs have caused once-efficient and safe hydraulic infrastructure to become inefficient and hazardous. In some cases, this has resulted in a lack of water discharge capacity or conveyance. Toaddressthisproblem,societyatlargehasestablishednewpublicpoliciesand programs, including the implementation of mitigation and adaptation to climate change actions, especially of governance actions undertaken by the society jointly with the authorities to reduce these effects. The experiences described in this book will provide the reader with a better overview of the current climate challenge and of the adaptation actions using successful case studies that could be replicated in other regions of the world. This book is not just a compilation of good intentions. It is a testimony of the ongoing global efforts to reduce the vulnerability of the population and infras- tructure faced with an increasingly evident and extreme climate change. Roberto Ramírez de la Parra Director General of the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA) vii Foreword by Dogan Altinbilek Uncertainty about the potential impacts of climate change and variability on human and natural systems globally requires that the government, private sector, academia,andnongovernmentalorganizationscontinue with their efforts to further generate and disseminate knowledge on this topic. The World Water Council has joined the interna- tional community in its search for a deeper under- standing of these themes. In collaboration with the National Water Commission of Mexico (CONAGUA) and the National Association of Water and Sanitation Utilities of Mexico (ANEAS), the Council has sup- ported in-depth studies in several regions, basins, and projects in different parts of the world. The lessons learnt are many. Specific conditions aside, the studies confirmtherelevanceofwaterinfrastructureintheoverallresilienceandadaptation of systems (economic, social, and environmental). A word of caution is that fun- damental infrastructure that is built to store and regulate water under normal years may not be as efficient under climate change conditions, where extreme events are expected to increase. AsChairoftheSteeringCommittee,Itrustthatcasestudiesandanalysesinthe book will be an important reference for policymakers and new infrastructure developments. I extend my most sincere thanks to all who contributed to this project. Dogan Altinbilek Vice President of the World Water Council Chair of the Steering Committee ix Foreword by Claudia Coria Climatehasnoborders,norcanitdifferentiatebetween rich and poor countries, social conditions. It does not know how efficient the institutions responsible for resource management can be. What is a fact is that today the world is facing more complex problems related to water resources management. Therefore, this publication presents the most representative cases of actions and experiences of different countries on water infrastructure management and operation. We are cer- tain it can be used as a benchmark for solving similar problems around the world, helping to build resilience to climate change. This book contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)6:“Ensureavailabilityandsustainablemanagementofwaterandsanitation for all.” In particular, it contributes to the target of expanding international coop- eration for capacity-building activities and programs on water and sanitation, including water harvesting and storage. Claudia Coria International Affairs Manager National Water Commission of Mexico Member of the Steering Committee xi
Description:The list of books you might like
