Climate Adaptation & RWH

Abstract

Human society has been adapting to their environments throughout history by developing technology, cultures and livelihoods which are suited to local conditions. Climate change raises the possibility that existing societies will experience climatic shifts that previous experience has not prepared them. This chapter discusses the role of rwh to enable society to adapt to climate change. It examines the fact that present infrastructure, with a maximum lifespan of 30 years will not be the infrastructure of the future. Grey, Green or Hybrid infrastructure and the increasing role to be played by decentralised systems is examined. The role of rwh technology in future systems to augment existing water supplies is compared to the role played by wind and solar energy resources. The potential in developing countries for rwh technology to provide the opportunity to leapfrog capital intensive water projects by going straight to decentralised water collection systems is stressed. The role of multiple waters in climate adaption is examined as is the concept of peak water. Finally, the potential for rwh technology to facilitate the rebalancing in society of the human technology environment nexus is addressed.