Climate change refers to the long term warming of the planet due to human activities, characterized by rising temperatures, extreme weather events, melting ice caps, sea level rise, altered precipitation patterns and increased greenhouse gas emissions.Climate change exacerbates water scarcity in arid and semi arid areas through several consequences –

1. Rising temperatures increase evaporation, reduce precipitation and alter water cycles, exacerbating water scarcity in arid regions.
2. Altered precipitation patterns bring droughts, floods and unpredictability, reducing water recharge and exacerbating scarcity in dry regions.
3. Soil moisture loss due to increased evaporation and changed precipitation patterns depletes groundwater recharge and amplifies scarcity.
4. Snowpack decline reduces water storage, altering seasonal flows and diminishing groundwater recharge, exacerbating arid region scarcity.
5.  Groundwater depletion accelerates due to climate driven decreases in recharge, intensifying scarcity in arid regions aquifers and wells.
6.  Climate driven water quality degradation contaminates sources, increases salinity and intensifies algae blooms, worsening arid region water scarcity.
7. Rising temperatures and population growth boost agricultural, industrial and municipal water demands, straining arid region resources.
8. Land degradation and desertification reduce water retention, increase runoff and decrease groundwater recharge in arid regions.
9. Climate disruption alters ecosystems by damaging watersheds and disrupting natural water cycles, intensifying scarcity in arid regions ecosystems.

Effective government policies mitigate water scarcity in arid regions through climate resilient infrastructure, efficient water management and conservation incentives. Implementing water saving technologies, regulating usage and investing in renewable sources, desalination and wastewater reuse enhance resilience.