Climate impacts on gray and green infrastructure
Future population downstream of water source areas with climate change impacted Threat Reduction Capacity by A) Nature-based and B) Engineering Solutions. Color boxes represent change from 2010 to 2080.
HOW MAY CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT THE CAPACITY OF GRAY AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO SAFEGUARD WATER SECURITY?
This project investigates the impacts of climate change on water resources, assessing the effectiveness of both engineered and nature-based solutions to mitigate water security challenges. Leveraging global datasets of river threats and multi-year climate forecasts, it provides a comprehensive analysis of how variability in climate and hydrologic flow affects the potential of both green and gray infrastructure to reduce water threats. The findings aim to guide development policies and inform global dialogue on water security and climate resilience.
As principal scientist on the project, I designed the research concept and framework, performing all underlying geospatial and statistical analysis. I coordinated and organized the project, managed project team and client communication, provided primary writing for project report, managed all project deliverables and timelines to successful completion, presented final findings to client, and provided detailed guidance for next phases of work.
CONTRIBUTIONS
- Developed research concept, design, and workflow execution.
- Developed global spatial indicators mapping Climate Variability and Climate impacts on river threats for years 2010, 2030, 2050, 2080.
- Built global indicators mapping climate impacts on threat reduction capacity from engineered infrastructure and nature-based solutions from 2010 to 2080.
- Quantified and mapped populations impacted by impaired rivers and threat reduction capacity due to climate change.
- Authored and executed Python code including robust spatial analysis, spatial statistics, and managing complex global datasets.
- Coordinated and managed team members, project timelines, and deliverables.
- Provided primary writing, report organization, and submission of all project reports.
- Organized, designed, and presented final products to clients at the United Nations.
PRODUCTS
Code and Data:
Python code on GitHub: Climate Impacts on Water Security Threats and Green/Gray Infrastructure Threat Reduction Capacity
Supporting Publications:
Vörösmarty, Charles J., Ben Stewart-Koster, Pamela A. Green, .. et al. A Green-Gray Path to Global Water Security and Sustainable Infrastructure. Global Environmental Change 70 (September 1, 2021): 102344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102344.