Climate Change and Water Resources in Mexico

Abstract

Achieving water security has become the strategic objective of water management, from the point of view of international organizations, governments, and experts. However, at the global, national, and regional levels, water security is a growing concern. In this context, climate change poses enormous additional challenges that need to be addressed. There are expectations of lower precipitation and therefore availability in large regions of the planet, particularly those located in midlatitudes, as well as an increase in the occurrence and severity of droughts and extreme storms. Climate-change research on aspects of vulnerability and impacts should be a guide to decision-making that increases resilience. Mexico, due to its geographical location and climatic conditions, will be one of the most affected countries both concerning its water resources and extreme weather events. In this chapter, the general perspective of the observed climate-change trends and expected effects, especially that of Mexico, is analyzed within the context of current knowledge, including the effects on water availability and extreme phenomena such as droughts, floods, and severe storms, as well as heat waves and their impacts on human health.