Regional impacts of environmental and global change : water use in the Valais

Abstract. This paper provides a brief overview of water resources in the Alps from an economic, social and historical point of view. Based on these considerations, the paper looks into the future use of water under conditions of changing climate and a liberalization of economic markets. A particular focus here is the liberalization of the electricity sector in Switzerland. The examples given here provide material to reflect upon the potential conflicting and convergent issues linking globalization and global change.