Water resilience and human life support - global outlook for the next half century

Abstract

This article highlights green and blue water functions in the densely tied global water network, stabilizing the life support system and generating ecosystems and ecological services. Essential water challenges of the next half century are analyzed, identifying low-latitude dryland vulnerability and sharpening hydro-social water constraints. Attention is drawn to global warming, and the crucial roles of water and agriculture in stabilizing Holocene climate below a fatal warming of +2 °C or more. The article ends with a hydro-climatic, hydro-social and hydro-ecological outlook on how to principally navigate a resilient life support system stressed by climate change, population growth and increasing demands.