Abstract

The flow of water in rivers is of paramount importance to maintain supply of food and energy requirements to a great extent. The minimum flow in perennial rivers is subjected to groundwater availability, it is further replenished by the water added through precipitation. Climate change not only increases the melting of glaciers and sea level rise, but also influences the surface water flow and quality. As agriculture is directly affected by changing precipitation pattern, the reduction in water resources and untimely addition of water, both act havoc to the food production process. This interconnection makes agriculture even more vulnerable to the scenarios of global warming and climate change. Studies on food-energy-water nexus has opened new avenues of research in sustainable water management. The role of sustainable flow of water in rivers is highlighted which needs to be understood in era of climate change.

Highlights

  • Era of climate changeThe surface water has been the cradle of civilisations since the beginning of human history

  • The pollutants have reached the groundwater and contaminated the clean water source. Climate change is another threat posed on the availability of fresh water

  • The surface water bodies are at the receiving end of the heavy contaminants through run-off which changes the quality of water

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Summary

Introduction

The surface water has been the cradle of civilisations since the beginning of human history. The pollutants have reached the groundwater and contaminated the clean water source Climate change is another threat posed on the availability of fresh water. This climate change is caused by the warming of the earth’s atmosphere as a result of increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, change in land-use pattern and emission of aerosols and other pollutants through various anthropogenic activities. Indirect effects of changing climate causes siltation of reservoirs, coastal floods and salt-water intrusion in coastal aquifers are most common occurrences (Figure 1). These various factors are interrelated and they affect the human population intensely and in most unpredictable way [1]. Various sectors which directly depend on water resources, such as agriculture, hydropower, navigation etc. are getting affected and have devastating societal impacts like effects on health of large scale of population and economy of many countries [2]

Extreme events
Effect on water quality
Effect on the flow of water
Sustainable water flows
Floods
Droughts
Groundwater
Indirect risks
Changes in land use pattern
Agriculture
Population growth and migration
Growing energy consumption
Findings
Conclusion
Full Text
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