Steve Weymer

Water is one of the most important resources for life. People, plants, and animals all depend on it every day. Yet, our water supply is under growing pressure as the planet warms. Climate change affects rainfall, rivers, lakes, and groundwater in ways that make clean water harder to manage and protect. Understanding these changes is the first step toward keeping our water safe and secure. Shifts in the Water Cycle Climate change makes the water cycle less predictable. Warmer air holds more moisture, which leads to heavier rain in some areas. At the same time, higher temperatures speed up evaporation from soil, rivers, and lakes. This creates longer dry periods in other regions. When rain becomes less regular, communities face greater risks. Some areas may see too little water, while others face too much at once. This imbalance places stress on farms, cities, and ecosystems. Drought and Water Shortages One of the most serious ways climate change affects our water supply is through drou...

Water is at the heart of life on Earth. Everything depends on a continuous and reliable water supply , from the smallest plant to the largest animal. Yet this life-sustaining resource doesn’t simply appear. It is part of a vast, complex process known as the water cycle. While the cycle is natural and ongoing, how we interact with it can have significant consequences—good and evil. Understanding the water cycle is a lesson in nature and a guide for making smarter choices about managing our water resources in an ever-changing world. The Movement of Water Around Us The water cycle, called the hydrologic cycle, is nature’s way of moving water through the atmosphere, across the land, and below the surface. It begins when water from oceans, rivers, and lakes evaporates due to the sun's warmth. That water vapor then rises into the atmosphere, cooling and forming clouds through condensation. Eventually, the moisture returns to Earth as precipitation—rain, snow, or sleet. Once the water rea...