FIGURE4 Green water can be lost through evaporation or transpiration.
9.4.4 Climate change and impact on rainfall and run-off Most climate scientists believe climate change will affect rain patterns. FIGURE5 shows northern areas will get more rain, while places near the equator and mid latitudes will get less. Some regions may face droughts, others may have heavy rain or floods.
FIGURE5 Predicted change in annual run-off due to climate change, 2084
ARCTIC OCEAN
Arctic Circle
PACIFIC
ATLANTIC
Tropic of Cancer
OCEAN
OCEAN
Equator
INDIAN
OCEAN
Predicted change in annual run-off due to climate change, 2084
Tropic of Capricorn
Decrease (%)
Increase (%)
2–4 5–9
40 or more 20–39 10–19 5–9 2–4 Little change
10–19 20–39 40 or more
4000 km
0
2000
Source: Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
TOPIC9 Water in the world 261
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