FACTBOX - The World's Water And Climate Change

• Temperatures are likely to rise by between 1.1 and 6.4 Celsius (2.0 and 11.5 Fahrenheit) and sea levels by between 18 cm and 59 cm (7 inches and 23 inches) this century, according to the UN's IPCC.
• Climate change model simulations for the 21st century see increased precipitation at high latitudes and tropical areas; decreased rainfall in sub-tropical regions.
• Warming in the western US Mountains is projected to cause decreased snow pack, more winter flooding and reduce summer flows, increasing competition for over-allocated water resources.
• Major challenges are projected for US crops near the warm end of their suitable range or crops that depend on highly utilized water resources (irrigation).
• In southern Europe, climate change is projected to worsen high temperatures and drought, and reduce available water, hydropower potential, summer tourism and crops in general.
• In Latin America, productivity of some important crops will decrease, while disappearance of glaciers in the Andes will affect water supplies for human consumption.
• In Africa, by 2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress. In some countries, yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50 percent.
• In Asia, by the 2050s, freshwater availability in Central, South, East and South-East Asia, particularly large river basins, is projected to decrease.
• Australia's drought, which helped spark the country's deadliest bushfire disaster in early 2009, has been linked to climate change. By 2030, water problems are projected to intensify in southern and eastern Australia.
• Rising sea levels could increase salinity in groundwater and estuaries worldwide. This could have grave implications for coastal urban areas such as Miami, Florida.