Water, Climate Change, and Adaptation

Author(s): Heather R. Hosterman, Peter G. McCornick, Elizabeth J. Kistin, Anju Pant, Bharat Sharma and Luna Bharati

Published: August 2009

download: policy brief (.pdf) >

Human-induced climate change has wide-ranging and complex impacts on water resources in South Asia and throughout the world. Strategies for adaptation to climate change, as well as changing demographics, socioeconomic conditions, and resource management practices may mitigate adverse impacts on water resources and the interconnected sectors of agriculture, ecosystem, energy, and health, while capitalizing on the opportunities presented by these changes. This brief aims to help guide policy engagement and future research in water and adaptation. It highlights some of the existing or potential strategies for adaptation in the Ganges river basin and describes five factors currently obstructing successful adaptation in the basin.