Looming Water Crisis – What can YOU do to Conserve Water?

Looking at the droplet in the infographic, only 2.6% of the world’s water supply is fresh water, while the rest is salt water; unsuitable for consumption by living things. The distribution of fresh water is so uneven globally that according to the Water.org site, 1 in 10 people (or 771 million people) do not have access to safe water and about a quarter of world population (or 1.7  billion people) do not have access to a toilet. The site predicts that “by 2025 (that is less than two years!), 50% of the world’s population is projected to live in water-stressed areas as a result of climate change, with low-income families bearing the greatest brunt of this crisis.”

              Nationally, the World Atlas site reported that four major rivers are drying up: The Colorado River, The Mississippi River, The Snake River and The Mobile River. These rivers are in the danger of receding due to many reasons involving “climate change, pollution and over-extraction of water resources.”

              The situation for the Colorado River is becoming so dire that on August 16, 2022, the U.S. Department of Interior announced “urgent action to improve and protect the long-term sustainability of the Colorado River System, including commitments for continued engagement with impacted states and Tribes.” This river is the 5^th longest river in the country, spanning 1, 450 miles over 7 states – New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California – and is experiencing a 20-year megadrought. Most recently, as of February 16, 2023, discussions between the 7 states are stalled over which state, how much and how to reduce consumption of water from the Colorado River.

              Closer to home, there have been reports about drinking water contamination crisis – including East Palestine, OH; Jackson, MS; Lowndes Country, AL; Flint &  Benton Harbor, MI; West Baltimore, MD. – due to aging water infrastructure. Government at all levels are neglecting to review, invest and upgrade wastewater/sewage treatment plants and drinking water infrastructure for households in the nation.

Discussion Questions:

1. Review the “Water Scarcity” infographic and explain which fact stood out to you and why.
   
2. Select any TWO of the articles below, summarize TWO key takeaways you had about the looming water crisis and share your findings with a classmate or two:

a) Britannica: Water Scarcity
b) World Atlas: Why is the Colorado River Drying Up?
c) U.S. Department of the Interior: Interior Department Announces Actions to Protect Colorado River System, Sets 2023 Operating Conditions for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
d) PEW Stateline: Can Western States Agree on the Future of the Colorado River?
e) Time: The Water Crisis No One in America is Fixing

3. Self-Reflection:

a) Indicate your most recent monthly utility bill for water: US $_________.
b) Visit the “Water Calculator” site to complete your water footprint inventory.
c) Record your water footprint:

• Personal Use: _________________ gal/day
• Household Use: ________________ gal/day
• Top 2 Indoor Water Usage activities: _____________________________
• Top 2 Outdoor Water Usage activities: ____________________________

d) Brainstorm for 2 ways to reduce the water usage in your household effectively immediately.
e) Explain how you are using your rational self-interest to determine the demand for fresh/clean water.
f) Does your personal pursuit of rational self-interest for this natural resource help or hurt the social interest of the people around you including your family, neighborhood, workplace, and public places? Do elaborate.

Sources| Water.org: https://water.org/our-impact/water-crisis/;Britainnica.com: https://www.britannica.com/topic/water-scarcity; World Atlas: https://www.worldatlas.com/places/x-rivers-that-are-drying-up.html & https://www.worldatlas.com/rivers/why-is-the-colorado-river-drying-up.html; Department of Interior: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-announces-actions-protect-colorado-river-system-sets-2023; Pew Stateline: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2023/02/16/can-western-states-agree-on-the-future-of-the-colorado-river; Time: https://time.com/6255560/water-sanitation-crisis-ohio-train-derailment/; Water Footprint Calculator: https://www.watercalculator.org/; Investopedia: Rational Self Interest – https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/self-interest.asp; CORE: Social Interest – https://www.core-econ.org/the-economy/book/text/04.html?query=self+interest