China’s water security under a changing environment

Abstract

China’s water security faces unprecedented challenges, examined through the variation in socio-economic development, water resource availability, water-related disasters and aquatic ecosystems to develop a water security philosophy under a changing environment. Guided by the human-water harmony notion, water security needs to balance the human need and natural need, load pressure and carrying capacity, and risk aggregation and mitigation. We propose an integrated water security framework of adaptive socio-economic development patterns, resilient water infrastructure systems and rigorous water governance mechanisms, which manages both human activities and water infrastructure, including natural assets and built projects. Policy recommendations are further proposed for future water security.