Prof David Hannah (University of Birmingham) visited UWE Bristol on 16 October to give a lecture on water in a changing environment, as part of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management‘s weekly research seminar series.
David explained that understanding how water in our environment responds to climate and other drivers of change is a major challenge for the hydrological sciences. Too much water (flood), too little water (drought) or water that is too hot (extreme temperature) can have profound consequences for aquatic ecosystems and people. Therefore, it is vital we quantify changes in hydrological fluxes and stores (such as precipitation, river flows and glaciers), and unravel the multiple and synergistic causes of change (including climate, land use and human factors). Such knowledge is imperative to reduce uncertainty over future projections, and develop sustainable water policies and adaption strategies for the betterment of ecosystems and society.
David is Professor of Hydrology in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University of Birmingham, and Director of Research of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. He is Chair-holder for the UNESCO Chair in Water Sciences at the University of Birmingham. A recording of David giving the same lecture as part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security Distinguished Lecture Series is available on YouTube.
This event was co-sponsored by the UWE Geography Society.