The Construction Strategy for a Smart Water Network in the Yangtze River Delta Region Against the Backdrop of Normalization of Extreme Climate

Over the past century, influenced by both human activities and natural factors, global warming has become a common threat and challenge facing humanity. Extreme climates, such as heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, droughts, and wildfires, are becoming increasingly normalized. The United Nations issued a severe warning in 2023 that “the era of global boiling has arrived.” The Yangtze River Delta region, which holds an important position in China’s and the world’s economic landscape, encompasses three provinces and one city (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui) and is home to a permanent population of 237 million. The atmospheric, water, and soil environments within the region are closely interconnected, and the well-being of people’s livelihoods across the area is interdependent. Against the backdrop of normalization of extreme climate, ensuring the water needs for production and daily life in the Yangtze River Delta region, especially for disaster prevention and reduction and for economic security, through the construction of a smart water network is a key measure to empower the region’s high-quality, integrated development.