Kevin L. Patrick, Patrick, Miller & Kropf, , patrick@waterlaw.com
Abstract
Global water consumption doubles every twenty years, twice the population rate. Against this back drop, the leading issue facing the water field is how to utilize effective adaptive water management (“AWM”) techniques to plan and develop adequate water supplies to address the impacts of climate change. Water planning and development historically developed out of rigid supply/demand engineering. This one dimensional approach has institutional flaws which restrict effective problem solving. Climate change, population growth and competition for water supplies between food production, energy generation and human needs compels an interdisciplinary approach to AWM that focuses effective tools in the land use, legal and engineering arenas to address water planning and management. This paper identifies adaptive management variables in an interdisciplinary approach to meeting the challenges of climate change on water supplies.
Key Words Adaptive, Interdisciplinary, Climate