Climate Change and Freshwater Resources

Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 22, p. 30, Winter 2008

Wayne State University Law School Research Paper No. 07-44

22 Pages Posted: 5 Nov 2007 Last revised: 1 Dec 2013

See all articles by Noah D. Hall

Noah D. Hall

Wayne State University Law School

Bret B. Stuntz

Independent

Robert Abrams

Florida A&M University - College of Law

Abstract

The Earth's climate is warming. This is the unequivocal conclusion of climate scientists. Despite the complexities of climatology, certain consistent trends emerge with implications for water availability: as the world gets warmer, it will experience increased regional variability in precipitation, with more frequent heavy precipitation events and more susceptibility to drought. These simple facts will have a profound impact on freshwater resources throughout the United States, as the warmer climate will reduce available water supplies and increase water demand. Unfortunately, current water law and policy are not up to the new challenges of climate change and resulting pressures on freshwater resources. To adapt to climate change, water law and policy will need to embrace fundamental reforms that emphasize water conservation and more efficient and environmentally-sound allocation at the local, regional, and national scales.

Keywords: climate change, water, water law, freshwater, water policy, drought

JEL Classification: K32, Q15, Q25

Suggested Citation

Hall, Noah D. and Stuntz, Bret B. and Abrams, Robert, Climate Change and Freshwater Resources. Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 22, p. 30, Winter 2008, Wayne State University Law School Research Paper No. 07-44, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1026621

Noah D. Hall (Contact Author)

Wayne State University Law School ( email )

471 Palmer
Detroit, MI 48202
United States

Bret B. Stuntz

Independent ( email )

Robert Abrams

Florida A&M University - College of Law ( email )

201 Beggs Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801
United States

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