Protecting People, Infrastructure, Economies, and Ecosystem Assets: Water Management in the Face of Climate Change

Bloetscher, Frederick

doi:10.3390/w4020367

Summary:

Recent literature outlines significant impacts from climate change on many areas of the world, with much focus on causes and impacts. However the long-term trends demand adaptation strategies. While a variety of solutions have been suggested, some politically viable, others not, perhaps the most significant barrier to a cohesive approach to climate adaptation is the failure from the public and policy-makers to realize that different areas will be affected differently and that “one-size-fits-all” policy solutions will not be successful. In addition, as one area may identify and respond to challenges in their location, others should be supportive of those efforts, realizing that while such actions may be neither desirable nor appropriate for them, they may need support for solutions in the future in their areas. This project was designed as a framework to identify solutions and demonstrate differences between small regions and locales based on field conditions. The State of Florida was used as a case example to outline these differences because Florida is faced with significant challenges in the coming years related to water resources, the use of funds and political capital, and the potential for economic disruption. The intent is that the results of this project will lead to a series of recommendations and action steps for policy makers to conserve the state’s assets. A similar approach can be used in other states and countries to assess the likely policy and infrastructure needs for different locales.

Title:	Protecting People, Infrastructure, Economies, and Ecosystem Assets: Water Management in the Face of Climate Change.	73 views 15 downloads
Name(s):	Bloetscher, Frederick, author
Type of Resource:	text
Genre:	Article
Date Issued:	2012-04-11
Summary:	Recent literature outlines significant impacts from climate change on many areas of the world, with much focus on causes and impacts. However the long-term trends demand adaptation strategies. While a variety of solutions have been suggested, some politically viable, others not, perhaps the most significant barrier to a cohesive approach to climate adaptation is the failure from the public and policy-makers to realize that different areas will be affected differently and that “one-size-fits-all” policy solutions will not be successful. In addition, as one area may identify and respond to challenges in their location, others should be supportive of those efforts, realizing that while such actions may be neither desirable nor appropriate for them, they may need support for solutions in the future in their areas. This project was designed as a framework to identify solutions and demonstrate differences between small regions and locales based on field conditions. The State of Florida was used as a case example to outline these differences because Florida is faced with significant challenges in the coming years related to water resources, the use of funds and political capital, and the potential for economic disruption. The intent is that the results of this project will lead to a series of recommendations and action steps for policy makers to conserve the state’s assets. A similar approach can be used in other states and countries to assess the likely policy and infrastructure needs for different locales.
Identifier:	10.3390/w4020367 (doi), http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/4/2/367/ (uri), FAUIR000006 (IID)
Persistent Link to This Record:	http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUIR000006
Use and Reproduction:	publisher
Host Institution:	FAU
Is Part Of:	Water. 2073-4441

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Protecting People, Infrastructure, Economies, and Ecosystem Assets: Water Management in the Face of Climate Change