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  • Climate in the Gulf • The Report • For Teachers  • Overview • Slow the Change • Speed our Response  • Overview • Water Resources • Sea-Level Change • Human Perspectives |
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Texas
Fresh water is critical for Texas's nearly 21 million residents—85% of whom live in cities. As the state's population grows to a projected 34 million by 2030, agriculture, fisheries, and industry will continue to require reliable freshwater resources to remain productive. Competing demands on limited water resources due to population and economic growth alone will increase freshwater management challenges with or without climate change. However, climate change would further complicate the situation, posing new and serious threats. For example:
More on Texas: Introduction | Climate Projections | Freshwater Resources | Human Health | Coastal Development | Fisheries | Agriculture & Forestry | Tourism & Recreation | TX Resources & Links Photo Credits: Bluebonnet - A. Funke Taylor, www.actnowgraphics.com. Big Thicket - National Parks Service Photo. |
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Higher water temperatures impact aquatic ecosystems by changing aquatic food webs and species communities. Higher water temperatures also reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, diminishing water quality, and in extreme cases, leading to fish kills. The valuable services provided by freshwater ecosystems would be threatened.
