Reflections on climate and water over 50 years

Abstract

This is a written version of my Munro Oration presented at the joint Conference for the NZ Hydrological Society, the Australian Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium and the IPENZ Rivers Group held in Queenstown, New Zealand from 28 November to 2 December 2016. Here, I reflect on some important issues in the science of climate and water over the past 50 years. Changes in the way that hydroclimatology has evolved are identified for the following: growth and analysis of big data, understanding the role of teleconnections, linking of the water and energy balances, increasing power of climate modelling, and assessment of the impacts of climate change on water resources and our vulnerability. Examples are illustrated with case studies from personal experience as a university teacher, researcher and consultant. The latter includes occasional flirtations with engineers (some dry, but most wet) and experiences with four rather different river basins.

keywords:

• Munro Oration
• hydro-climate
• review
• historical perspective

Notes

1. Medium Density Fibreboard.