The aim of this book is to contribute to the public discussion on our relations and dealings with water. It shall also shape the public opinion towards an integrated view on water and the necessity to ensure enough water for coming generations.Water is of vital importance: Without water no life would exist and our planet would be a huge desert. Water plays a dominant role in the climate system as well. Atmospheric water vapour is the most important greenhouse gas; over 60% of the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere is due to water vapour. Without greenhouse gases the mean surface temperature of our planet would be around -18 °C. Water is the basic condition for the high biodiversity on Earth. Plants, animals and humans are composed of 50–80% water. They are stressed, fall ill or die from water scarcity or polluted water. Therefore, our common future is endangered when water is not available in sufficient amount and quality.
1. Essential for life - water in view of natural sciences
2. Water use and human impacts on the water budget
3. Water and climate change
3.2 Possible consequences
3.2.1 Accelerated desertification (R. Baumhauer)
3.2.2 Biodiversity and desertification (M. Akhtar-Schuster, U. Schmiedel & N. Jürgens)
3.2.3 The significance of climate change for water-related diseases(Th. Kistemann, A. Wieland & M. Exner)
3.2.4 Climate-related effects on water quality (Th. Blenckner)
3.2.5 The aesthetics and acceptability of reused water (H. H. Dieter & R. Schmidt)
3.2.6 Water scarcity and violent conflict (Chr. Fröhlich & U. Ratsch)
3.2.7 The emerging conflict of using Nile water for irrigation purposes, especially between Egypt and Ethiopia, due to the disturbance of the reliability of the arrival of the Monsoon season as triggered by European/Asian brown cloud (H.-J. Luhmann)
3.2.8 Present and future problems of water in developing countries (F. Brugger)
3.2.9 Global change and extreme hydrological conditions – Floods and droughts(L. Menzel & Z. Kundzewicz)
3.2.10 Irrigation induced soil salinisation in the Yanqi Basin, China-modelling approaches and
possible solutions (P. Brunner, X. Dong, W. Li & W. Kinzelbach)
3.2.11 Potential impacts of water scarcity on the world economy (S. Peterson & G. Klepper)
3.2.12 Flood disasters and climate change: Trends and options – A (re-)insurer's view(W. Kron & G. Berz)
4. What should be done?
Glossary
Literature