Managing Water Resources in the West Under Conditions of Climate Uncertainty A Proceedings (1991) / Chapter Skim
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2. Sharing Water Resources with Future Generations
2. Sharing Water Resources with Future Generations
Pages 15-27
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From page 15... ...
This presentation focuses on water resources as an intergenerational equity issue, with climate change and the scientific uncertainties regarding it as aspects of the problem. I will present a theory of intergenerational equity that relates the present generation to past and future generations and relates the human species to the natural system of which we are a part; On leave from position as professor of law, Georgetown University Law Center.
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From page 16... ...
While the model may be appropriate for certain unique natural resources, it is not generally consistent with economic development and improved standards of living. The opulent consumption model encourages immediate consumption of resources, either because there may not be another tomorrow or because the higher level of consumption will make possible greater wealth for this and future generations.
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From page 17... ...
Intergenerational equity, as I have been describing the term, requires an intragenerational dimension. If each community or each country had a completely parochial attitude, caring only
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From page 18... ...
That means we have to care about whether other "people are willing and able to fulfill their intragenerational obligations. PRINCIPLES OF INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY What are principles of intergenerational equity that we can derive from the intergenerational ethic described above?
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From page 19... ...
Water Resource Problems with Intergenerational Impacts Several problems can exist between our generation and future generations in the use of water resources, some of which may be exacerbated by changing climate and by the scientific uncertainty regarding changing conditions. Perhaps the most obvious example of an intergenerational water resources problem is toxic contamination of surface and ground waters.
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From page 20... ...
A final intergenerational water problem is restricted access to freshwater resources. For example, changes in global climate may cause areas dependent on the availability of a certain level of fresh water to become warmer and drier.
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From page 21... ...
The principles defined earlier in this paper provide an approach for analyzing these problems and finding solutions that strike a proper balance between our generation's rights and our obligation to future generations. Application of the first principle, conservation of options, could mean maintaining a diversity of fresh water supplies both ground water, surface water, and the technology for turning salt water into useable water.
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From page 22... ...
Thus, as we think about marketing water rights, we must also consider how the interests of future generations can be represented in this market. STRATEGIES FOR INCORPORATING INTERGENERATIONAL INTERESTS INTO DECISIONS AFFECTING WATER RESOURCES There are many strategies for incorporating intergenerational equity into water resource decisions.
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From page 23... ...
Research that would not be supported in the private sector but that is important to maintaining the quality and accessibility of water resources for future generations should be supported. For example, research to promote understanding of the fate and transport of pollutants in ground water, or research to facilitate efficient development and use of alternative water resources (such as research into desalination technologies)
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From page 24... ...
For example, if potential climate change causes people to consider large-scale diversions, it will be essential to develop acceptable criteria for evaluating such diversions for examining the benefits to the recipient communities, the future needs of the area of origin, the effects on the welfare of present and future generations in both areas, the impacts on the ecosystem, the long-term water loss during transport, alternative sources of water in each area, and the significant effects on weather and climate. The National Water Commission in 1973 devised economic criteria for interbasin transfers that we might update in light of our concern with global climate change and our intergenerational concerns (National Water Commission, 1973~.
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From page 25... ...
Issues involving scientific uncertainty can also be handled through scientific advisory councils and regular scientific assessments, the results of which may be transmitted to the parties for consideration in their periodic meetings. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978 incorporates several of these mechanisms.5 Nationally and locally, the important intergenerational issue is how to handle scientific uncertainty with respect to the effects of climate change.
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From page 26... ...
A definition of intergenerational equity in terms of changing climate might be a rate of climate change sufficiently slow to permit adaptation without excessive costs. This would require knowing the rate at which the physical system and the natural system can adapt.
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From page 27... ...
5. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Nov.
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