Groundwater is one of the world’s most important yet least visible water resources, supporting communities, ecosystems, agriculture, and economies worldwide. As climate change intensifies drought and increases pressure on surface-water supplies, understanding groundwater responses is essential to building resilient and sustainable water systems. In this UNU-INWEH Science Talk, Esther Oyedele will explore the connections between climate change, groundwater, and water security, using the Colorado River Basin as a case study. Drawing on recent research into groundwater responses to severe surface-water shortages in the Upper and Lower Colorado River Basins, she will examine how responses can differ within the same river system and what these differences reveal about the hidden dimensions of drought. She will also connect these findings to broader global challenges in sustainable water management, environmental resilience, and human and ecosystem well-being, highlighting why groundwater must be central to discussions on climate adaptation and water security.
You may watch the talk on the UNU-INWEH YouTube channel (no registration required).
Speaker
Esther Oyedele
Science Outreach and Policy Engagement Fellow at UNU-INWEH Global Lab for Environmental Intelligence
