The Global Water Crisis

Melissa Sanchez

Urban Assembly Academy for Future Leaders

THE PROBLEM

There is a global water crisis. Clean water is not accessible to everyone. In many places around the world there are dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to organisms.

INTRODUCTION

Water is an essential natural resource that exists on our planet. Water covers about ⅔ of our planet’s surface. Although, we as humans recognize this fact, we do not take care of our rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Today, 1 in 9 people lack access to safe water; 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. More people have a mobile phone than a toilet. This problem exists all over the world including the United States!

TASK

As global citizens, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and others about the seriousness of this problem!

Your class will be divided into groups of 2-3. Each group is responsible for researching the causes and possible solutions for the water crisis.

Groups will be divided as follows:

1) Water pollution in America (Flint, MIchigan)

Flushing of a Hydrant in Flint, Michigan

2) Water pollution in Asia (India, Indonesia)

Women in India line up to wait for government trucks to deliver water

3) Water pollution in Africa

Child in Africa having a drink of water

Your group is responsible for 2 final products.

1. The first is a google slide presentation that will be presented to your peers.

2. The second is a letter to a group or person that will be able to hear your concerns and do something about it!

PROCESS

To complete this project you will follow the six steps of the Science Public Policy Analyst. Your PowerPoint must include a minimum of 10 slides. Some steps have worksheets attached that you must use to help you organize your research. Make sure that you “Share” your google docs with me.

1) A cover page: Determine a title for your presentation and include the names of each contributor

2) Choose a Country or City: Introduce the country or city that your group is focusing on. What are the population and water statistics? What are the economical resources that the country or city have?

3) The Problem: explain the problem that you are researching. Make sure that you can answer this question: Why is lack of clean water an issue for humans?

a) Worksheet 1: Define the Problem

4) Evidence: Throughout your research it is essential for you for find proof that this problem exist. You can use statistics, primary or secondary sources, and articles from newspapers or environmental agencies.

a) Worksheet 2: Gather Evidence

5) Identify the Cause: Why do we have a water crisis? Who or what is responsible for the problem? What are the underlying factors that lead to contaminated water?

a) Worksheet 3: Identify the Cause

6) Evaluate Existing Public Policies: Find policies that already exists regarding water. What do these policies say? Who do they benefit? Do they need to be changed?

a) Worksheet 4: Evaluating Existing Policies

7) Develop a solution: Come up with a solution that you think will solve or help the problem that exist.

a) Worksheet 5: Developing a Solution

8) Feasibility of Solution: Is the proposed solution realistic? Are there any obstacles that can prevent it from working? What can you do to overcome the obstacles?

a) Worksheet 6: Selecting the Best Policy

9) Using your voice: Choose an organization, company or government official to write a letter to. Explain in your presentation why you chose this person/company and summarize the letter that you will send.

a) Worksheet 7: Find an Organization

b) Worksheet 8: Letter Template

10) Resources: Make sure that you list all the resources that you used to complete your tasks.

a) Worksheet 9: Resources

RESOURCES

Water.Org Introduction

South African city on Shut-off notice as water crisis worsens

Facing pressure, Schools scramble to combat dangers of lead in water

Its been three years since Flint Residents have had access to safe water

World faces insurmountable water crisis by 2040

India's Worsening Water Crisis

EVALUATION

Global Water Crisis Rubric

CONCLUSION

By the end of this assignment, you will learn about the seriousness of water. Throughout your investigation you will see what causes water pollution, why it is a problem and suggest a solution.

STANDARDS

■ Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have resulted in major pollution of air, water, and soil. Pollution has cumulative ecological effects such as acid rain, global warming, or ozone depletion. The survival of living things on our planet depends on the conservation and protection of Earth’s resources. (LE. 7.2d)

ELA and Writing Standards

WHST.6–8.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.7

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

Water Crisis Resources

Here are some resources that you can use for your WebQuest.

The resources are organized in videos and then online text resources for the part of the world that you would like to focus on.

You must use at least 2 video sources and at least 4 of the text resources.

Video Resources for Water Crisis Project

Global Water Crisis

Flint

Africa

Asia

Water: The World Water Crisis

Matt Damon on the Water Crisis

PBS: Global Water Crisis