Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate

RAL Scientist Lead Editor on New Water Book

NCAR scientist Kathleen Miller is lead editor of a new book on water resources: "Water Policy and Planning in a Variable and Changing Climate." The 438-page book, published by CRC Press, serves as an educational resource for both the water policy and science communities. Focusing on the western U.S., it explains the region’s water management challenges and institutional context, as well as the potential impacts of climate change on water availability, water quality, and water-related hazards. It includes case studies that provide insights into the types of issues water managers and policy makers are likely to face and the role that the science community can play in developing collaborative solutions.

"We are confronting a reality of growing pressures on water resources. Effective adaptation will require cooperative problem-solving that is informed by multiple scientific disciplines and diverse stakeholder perspectives," Miller said. "Although there are success stories, there are no silver bullets or one-size-fits-all solutions. Rather, we argue that it is important for those engaged in water policy discussions to start with a realistic understanding of values and interests at stake, taking into account a rapidly-evolving climate system."