KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Climate Change and Water Management: Some Options for Water Stressed Countries

Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed
Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

Abstract

Based on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is evident that many countries of the world are vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change, the most significant of which are increased average temperatures, less and more erratic precipitation, sea level rise (SLR) and desertification. The likely warmer climate induced by the climate change is set to alter hydrological cycle and the shifting pattern of the rainfall would affect the spatial and temporal distribution of runoff, soil moisture, and surface and groundwater reserves. Melting of glaciers, snow and ice sheets further contributes to increase in sea level. This would have worldwide impacts on ground and surface water supply. Based on projections of the IPCC, it is clear that in the near future, some parts of the world especially in the arid region would have a large number of people living under water stress and water crisis. These impacts will cause serious damage to the economies of water stressed countries many of which already suffers from aridity, soil salinity, recurrent drought and extreme water scarcity. This paper highlights the work being carried out and current knowledge and efforts being made in view of climate change challenges in arid countries with particular reference to Oman. Most of the arid countries are facing the challenge to ensure an adequate supply of good quality water for various uses. When renewable surface and groundwater resources are not sufficient to meet the ever-increasing demands from agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors, finding alternative water resources becomes a priority. Examples include the use of treated wastewater and greywater, managed aquifer recharge (MAR), recharge dams, storage dams, use of brackish water, fog collection, roof-top water harvesting, biosaline agriculture and cloud seeding. In this paper these alternative sources of water are discussed in detail with particular emphasis on their use and potential in Oman.

Biography of the Keynote Speaker

Dr. Mushtaque Ahmed obtained his PhD from Iowa State University, USA in 1988. He is currently the Director of Center for Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR) as well as an Associate Professor of the Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. He joined SQU in 1996. Prior to that he worked for various organisations in Australia (Land and Water Conservation Department-NSW; CSIRO-Perth; Department of Water Resources-Griffith, NSW). His current research interests are biosaline agriculture, managed aquifer recharge, climate change and adaptability, etc. He published more than 120 scientific papers in peer reviewed refereed journals, book chapters, conference proceedings, and manuals, as well as serving as Editor of various publications. He is well experienced in organizing workshops, conferences and symposium at national and international levels. He is a corporate member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, and a member of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences and the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society.