Water Scarcity Around the World

Water Scarcity Around the World

DO NOW

Use the map below to answer the analysis question. Remember, scarcity is the problem that humans have unlimited wants and needs but the environment only has a limited amount of resources.

Open Ended

Identify the location of areas that are facing extremely high-water scarcity.

Sentence Stem: Some areas that are facing extremely high-water scarcity...

Water Scarcity Around the World

Today you will be able to describe causes and effects of water scarcity.

DID YOU KNOW?

Water is one of earth’s most valuable resources, and one of its most scarce. Out of the earth’s total supply of water, 97% is salt water and only 3% is fresh water. Water is necessary for survival, but some parts of the world have better access to clean, easily attainable water than others. In some countries getting water is as simple as turning on the faucet, while in other places women and children must walk miles every day for fresh water.

 

Open Ended

Do all parts of the world have equal access to water? Be sure to use complete sentences and text evidence to support your answer.

Sentence Stem: All parts of the world do/ don't have equal access to water because...

In addition to differences in the distribution of resources across the world, there can still be inequality even within each country. Due to government management, some parts of a country may have plenty of water while others have close to none. Water sanitation is also an issue, as dirty water can lead to disease and even death. For these reasons, it is important to realize that the entire earth shares a small percent of fresh water, and it is vital that this resource be protected and conserved.

Water Scarcity in Sudan

Activity

Read each statement and decide if it's an example of economic or physical scarcity. 

Multiple Choice

There is water located under Edgar’s village, but a drill to dig the well will cost the citizens $500,000.

• economic scarcity

• physical scarcity

Multiple Choice

There is in drought California, so it hasn’t rained in many months.

• economic scarcity

• physical scarcity

Multiple Choice

Johanna goes to the local water well, but it is dry.

• physical scarcity

• economic scarcity

Open Ended

Describe at least one possible problem that could occur if more than one country is trying to use the same water.

Sentence Stem: One possible problem that could occur if more than one country is trying to use the same water is...

Most of Sudan's available underground water is shared with surrounding countries. Some of Sudan’s water comes from the Nile River, but its use is not controlled by the government. This use of shared water creates conflicts with neighboring countries like Egypt and Ethiopia because all of the countries want to use the same water.