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There is a great deal of misunderstanding surrounding the subject of climate change, often leading to profound confusion regarding its potential impacts on natural resource systems and human well being.

Well-intentioned, but misguided attempts by the popular press and movie industry to call attention to the prospect of climate change have left much of the public with the impression that the Earth's climate system is either poised at the brink of cataclysmic change or that global climate change is a myth that they can safely ignore. Neither of these extreme views provides useful guidance to anyone attempting to make informed decisions about the management of climate-sensitive resources, including water.

This study, conducted by the highly respected National Center for Atmospheric Research, attempts to dispel some of the confusion by summarizing the best available scientific evidence on climate change, both natural and human-caused. In particular, this primer focuses on what is known about the implications of climate change for the hydrologic cycle and the availability and quality of water resources.

The goals of this primer are to 1) introduce water quality managers to the science of climate change; 2) suggest the types of impacts it can have on water resources; and 3) provide guidance on planning and adaptation strategies.

Book and CD-ROM