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The water cycle is important as it not only enables the availability of water for all living organisms but it at the same time regulates weather patterns on Earth.

Background

• Climate change is wreaking havoc on the water cycle of earth with serious consequences for ecosystems and human populations.
• The Global Water Monitor Report 2024 highlights the alarming impacts of climate change on water distribution and availability.
• The findings suggest that the water cycle is becoming more erratic affecting billions of people around the world.

What is the water cycle?

• The water cycle is the constant movement of water in all its phases — solid, liquid, and gas — on the ground, inside the ground, and in the atmosphere.
• Most water cycles through the planet because of the energy from the Sun and changes in temperatures.
  • • For example, water on the ground or in bodies of water escapes into the atmosphere as water vapor through a process called evaporation.
• Some water is taken up by plants from the soil and released as water vapour, a process known as transpiration.

How is climate change impacting the water cycle?

• Climate change has intensified the water cycle. As global temperatures rise, more water evaporates into the atmosphere.
• The ability of warmer air to hold moisture increases by approximately 7% for every 1 Celsius increase in temperature.
• This leads to stronger storms as well as increased rainfall intensity and catastrophic flooding in various regions.

Regional variability

• The impact of climate change on the water cycle is not uniform. Some areas experience more frequent and intense storms while others suffer from prolonged drought.
• As evaporation rates increase, soil moisture decreases exacerbating drought conditions.
• When rain does occur, it often runs off hard, dry ground and cannot adequately replenish water sources.

Future projections for the water cycle

• If greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled, global temperatures could rise by 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius this century.
• Such an increase is expected to make the water cycle even more unbalanced. A study published in 2022 showed that climate change has already intensified the global water cycle by up to 7.4%.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned of long-term changes to the water cycle, predicting more frequent and intense droughts and extreme rainfall.

What are the findings of the latest report?

Implications for future water management

• The conclusions point to an urgent need for effective water management strategies. Countries must adapt to a changing climate by adopting sustainable practices.
• Investments in infrastructure for efficient management of water resources are essential.
• International cooperation will be essential in addressing the global water crisis exacerbated by climate change.

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2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS