The CSIRO has launched its new Water: Science and Solutions for Australia book, aimed at assisting business and government policy makers.

 

The book provides information on the status of Australia’s water resources, their future prospects and the potential for using water more effectively to meet the growing demands of cities, agriculture, heavy industries and the environment.

 

"This publication draws upon the scientific literature to provide a broader audience with a clear picture of the water challenges and prospects facing Australia," CSIRO's Chief Executive, Dr Megan Clark, said.

 

"It seeks to provide a bridge from the peer-reviewed scientific literature to a broader audience while providing the depth of science that this complex issue demands and deserves.”

 

The book’s key scientific findings are as follows:

 

  • Overall, Australia has sufficient water resources to support its current uses, consuming six per cent of renewable water resources each year.
  • Australia’s arid landscape and high potential evaporation pose challenges from the high demand for water by crops and cities, and large water losses from reservoirs and inland rivers.
  • Demands on water resources are growing – from increased urban populations, increased prospects for irrigated agriculture, and the booming minerals and gas sectors – while, at the same time, society recognises the need to provide water for the environment.
  • Climate change poses an additional pressure on water resources but Australia's adaptability to droughts and floods will help the management of further adaptation to climate change for a few decades at least.
  • Australia is in a strong position to face its water challenges: having safe and reliable supplies of water, having achieved significant water reforms, and having solid institutions and many opportunities for innovation.

Water: Science and Solutions for Australia can be downloaded here.