Climate change and
water
The amount of rainfall or precipitation on Earth is constantly
changing, and directly affects how much water there is for
people to use.
We depend on being able to use the water that falls on land and
into rivers and streams. Water is categorised as either blue water
or green water.
 Blue water runs into streams and recharges groundwater
 Green water is stored in the soil or stays on top of the soil. This
water eventually evaporates or is used by plants. Green
water is used by crops, forests, grasslands and savannas.
Climate scientists believe that climate change will have an impact
on rainfall patterns and run-off.
Countries in the northern hemisphere are likely to experience more
rain, and areas closer to the equator will receive less rain.
• Increased rainfall = North America, South America, northern
Europe, and northern and central Asia
• Decreased rainfall = the Sahel + Sahara deserts in Africa, the
Mediterranean, southern Africa, and parts of Asia.
The diagram below uses colours to show the different effects that
climate change is predicted to have on different areas around
the world.
The darker the colour, the more of one feature in that location.
The areas that are the colours red, orange and yellow = a
DECREASE in rainfall in that area.
The areas that are the colours light pink to purple = an INCREASE in
rainfall in that area.
Questions
Q1. What are 3 countries who are predicted to have an increase
in rainfall due to climate change?
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Q2. What might be 2 possible benefits of increased rainfall for
these countries?
Q3. What is the predicted impact of climate on rainfall in
Australia?
Q4. What might be some possible problems in the future for
Australia?