Can Groundwater Use for Irrigation Increase in Response to Climate‐Change?

ABSTRACT Using more groundwater for irrigated agriculture is a logical response to the stress imposed by climate change. However, the scope for this in many arid regions may be less than expected because of the high (and often unsustainable) level of current groundwater resource exploitation. The extent to which further expansion is possible and managing groundwater use to avoid negative impacts are major issues for world water policy. Where opportunities do exist, water resource regulatory agencies need to be aware of the potential associated risks of groundwater salinization and pollution, if waterwell use is not properly managed, and these risks are thus discussed in some detail.