The Meteorology, climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of the Republic of Indonesia warns of serious consequences of climate change on water availability. The fundamental cause of climate change is alteration in the total input and output of energy on the Earth's surface. In the long term, increasingly extreme climate change is a concern as it may jeopardize the lives of all living creatures.
Climate change marked by shifts in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events will lead to a clean water crisis if they are not addressed immediately. So, how does climate change effect the availability of clean water Earth?
Numerous studies have revealed that climate change will result in higher temperatures and negatively impact water availability. The rising air temperatures due to global warming in climate change concurrently accelerate evaporation.
Consequently, groundwater diminishes rapidly. This reduction in groundwater will affect the availability of clean water on Earth. Groundwater has traditionally served as a source of clean water, essential not only for humans but also for plants.
Furthermore, extreme climate change disrupts precipitation patterns, leading to high rainfalls in certain areas that can result in flooding. conversely, other regions may suffer from severe drought.
Disrupted Hydrological Cycle
The connection between climate change and the clean water crisis can also be explained by the hydrological cycle. A smooth process of water circulation on Earth is key to ensuring water sources can meet the basic needs of communities and the environment in terms of quantity and quality.
Climate change can disrupt the hydrological cycle by impacting the intensity of precipitation and groundwater runoff. Meanwhile, the reduction of glaciers and melting ice in polar regions holds the potential to influence seasonal patterns.
As a result, the dry season may last longer, reducing groundwater levels, river flow, and the availability of water that has sustained agriculture, industry , and communities. UN Water warns that this continuous water crisis can pose a threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Global Action in Response to Climate Change
Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the water crisis caused by climate change in a recent discussion titled "Global Collaboration in Anticipating the Crisis Impact of Climate Change" held October 16th, 2023.
Dwikorita revealed that many countries worldwide face disparities in capacity and resilience in dealing with the impact to climate change, especially concerning technology. She stressed that there is a significant gap between developed countries and developing nations, as well as impoverished and island nations in addressing this issue.
Therefore, collaboration among various stakeholders is essential in addressing the consequences of climate change and extreme weather events. The problems arising from climate change are highly complex and intricately linked to various elements of society.
In line with this message, the World Water Forum (WWF), the world's largest global water forum, presents an opportunity for the global community to make its best contributions to combating climate change. During the 10th WWF scheduled for May 18-24, 2024, in Bali, all stakeholders can work together to confront the crisis caused by climate change.