The Relevance of Land Use Law to Climate Change Preparedness : The Case of Sustainable Water Practices

In confronting the challenges of global climate change, land use law frequently takes on the status of a fallback position. Through the example of water conservation, this brief essay argues that the trivialization of land use law is a missed opportunity. Because water use is ultimately determined by the manner in which local regulations direct land use choices, local governments are well equipped to curtail wasteful consumptive practices and address resource shortages through their complementary tools in zoning, resource planning, and resource regulation. his essay surveys the variety of ways in which local water conservation practices effect noticeable change in water use and concludes that local governments are essential in reconnecting the use of land with water conservation