Science Common Sense
685 - How does climate change impact water resources?
Climate change affects water resources in several ways:
- Changes in rainfall: Some areas get too much rain, causing floods, while others get too little, causing droughts.
- Rising sea levels: Oceans get higher, and saltwater can contaminate freshwater sources, making them undrinkable.
- Warmer water: As Earth gets warmer, water in lakes, rivers, and glaciers gets warmer too, changing the balance of ecosystems.
- Melting glaciers: Glaciers that store freshwater melt, causing sea levels to rise and changing the water supply for plants, animals, and humans.
- Droughts: Changes in climate patterns can lead to longer and more severe droughts, making it harder to find clean water.
All these changes affect the quality and availability of water, which can impact people's daily lives, especially in areas where water is already scarce.