CLIMATE CHANGE AND GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY

Global climate change has been identified as the most pressing environmental and economic problem facing society, and one that may prove to be humanity's greatest challenge. The environmental changes that we can expect from accelerating global climate change will alter the dynamics of ground water sustainability. Furthermore, policy responses to global climate change must be considered in forecasting future groundwater availability. Therefore, both researcher scientists and resource managers must incorporate climate change forecasts and policy responses into their ongoing work to sustain ground water supplies. This presentation will highlight the state of climate change research relative to ground water impacts, and summarize policy responses that may influence ground water sustainability.