Stronger Water and Soil Policies Needed to Combat Climate Change and Erosion
As global warming accelerates, erosion and water challenges are intensifying across coastlines and inland regions. Governments and scientists must collaborate on adaptive policies and sustainable land use to protect communities, conserve resources, and strengthen climate resilience.
By Jane MarshNov 12, 2025
The intensification of global warming has led to increased erosion along both coastal and inland areas. Addressing the effects of climate change on water and sediment loss is crucial, demanding coordinated action from governments and scientific stakeholders.
The development of new water and soil policies aids conservation, sustainable land use and climate adaptation. This means that governmental bodies must update regulations and invest in future resilience.
How Climate Change Drives Erosion and Water Challenges
Climate change worsens erosion and water problems by altering rainfall patterns and temperatures, resulting in more severe weather, floods and droughts. The events put water supplies at risk of depletion and contamination.
Extreme precipitation has a significant impact on soil erosion under climate change scenarios, as it accelerates sediment loss through raindrop impact, runoff and rising sea levels. The stripping away of fertile topsoil poses a further risk to food security and disrupts biogeochemical cycles, exacerbating atmospheric shifts.
This phenomenon has been dire for Alaska’s Kuskokwim River, with warmer temperatures shortening its ice season, resulting in earlier ice breakups and snowmelt in the spring. The heightened flow of water along the riverbank has caused significant deterioration.
Where the Risks of Erosion Are Highest
Erosion occurs most frequently along coastlines, riverbanks and in dry regions. It does not simply change the landscape — it poses a serious risk to infrastructure, agriculture and drinking water sources that communities depend on. Climate change is also impacting water accessibility in regions that face prolonged droughts or increased flooding.
Along the U.S. East Coast, rising sea levels and intense storms have hastened land loss and shoreline retreat. As of October 2025, 15 houses have collapsed in Rodanthe and Buxton, North Carolina, this year after a barrage of wind and strong waves destabilized the sediment.
One recent study found that land in major East Coast cities, including New York and Baltimore, is retreating by 1 to 2 millimeters annually, threatening up to 14 million people and 6.3 million properties.
These hot spots highlight the urgent need for adaptive management planning, targeted to specific areas to address this crisis.
Current Water Policy in the Age of Climate Change
Existing water policies, including those outlined in the U.S. Clean Water Act, typically focus on pollution and water quality standards within defined jurisdictions. They lack the flexibility to address broader, more dynamic challenges influenced by climate change and a growing prevalence of overflows, droughts and water shortages.
As such, a transition toward integrated water resources management, though heavily criticized for its complexity, promotes a holistic approach to protecting resources. However, experts suggest that water managers focus on areas where they have the most control — such as pollution control and flood mitigation — to deliver the most significant effects.
Adaptive management plans may be a better alternative because they enable more flexibility for water policies and practices as conditions shift, especially those influenced by climate change. These frameworks set targets and utilize ongoing monitoring to make strategic adjustments as new data emerges. This ultimately guides improved long-term outcomes for water resources and the public.
Best Practices and Policy Innovations
Policy innovations and industry best practices are crucial to addressing the challenges associated with climate change, erosion and water management. Some regions have implemented managed retreat interventions to address high-risk coastal zones, while others have adopted green infrastructure and large-scale watershed restoration.
The Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project is a 30-year initiative in Ventura, California, aimed at restoring a heavily eroded strip of coastline to its natural state. Meanwhile, the North Texas Municipal Water District is nearing completion of the Bois d’Arc Lake reservoir, where it plans to plant 6.3 million trees to create a new forest and reinstate the natural area.
These projects enhance natural water retention and decrease sediment loss. Zoning regulations and public-private partnerships are also crucial for limiting development in vulnerable locations and pooling resources and knowledge.
There is a growing interest in adopting efficiency standards and practices that promote lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Clean power through renewables is now a critical part of the energy portfolio. Likewise, the use of energy-efficient equipment and conducting preventive maintenance several times annually reduces greenhouse gases.
Farmers should also rotate crops and implement no-till planting to renew soil quality and stability. These efforts support climate change mitigation objectives and result in more effective erosion control and water management.
Challenges and Recommendations for Effective Policy
Adequate water and erosion policies face an uphill battle, particularly due to differing short-term interests and opinions on the climate crisis. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 54% of Americans do not think climate change will affect them in their lifetimes, compared to 45% who do. There is even greater disagreement among political groups and age demographics.
Limited financial resources and poor allocation often hinder policy initiatives, particularly in low-income areas. Support for such policies might also be low due to insufficient stakeholder participation and public awareness. Likewise, poor water quality data and inadequate monitoring could inhibit sound decision-making.
Breaking down the barriers and implementing effective climate change solutions requires collaboration between governments, the scientific community, the private sector and local communities. When they work closely together, they can create informed, inclusive and adaptable frameworks.
Measuring Success Through Monitoring and Reporting
Governments need to measure the success of their water and erosion policies by implementing comprehensive monitoring and reporting. Key performance indicators could entail water quality samples, erosion rates, the effectiveness of flood control and geographical data on clean water accessibility.
Transparent data collection and sharing build public trust and confidence, cultivate stakeholder collaboration and encourage informed decision-making. Ensuring open-access to data allows parties to track progress, identify areas for improvement and adjust mitigation strategies as conditions change.
Clear metrics and open reporting ensure accountability and drive performance in water resource and erosion risk management.
Charting a Sustainable Course for Water and Land
Climate change shows little sign of slowing down, making water and erosion control a pressing issue. With flooding and food security threats mounting, governments must act with sound policies to address these rising problems before it is too late. However, they do not need to do it alone. Partnering with stakeholders and the public can set the stage for sustainable change and resilience.