Amazing water
TASK
Watch the videos and make notes on the unique properties, and the huge importance, of water.
Watch the videos and make notes on the unique properties, and the huge importance, of water.
The importance of water
The distribution of water on earth
The hydrological cycle is used to describe the movement of water on the planet.
Water continually circulates between the atmosphere, land and sea. Most of the water on Earth is saline seawater, which is unfit for human consumption. Only about 2.5% is fresh water. Polar ice caps and glaciers account for the majority of fresh water with only about 0.76% of Earth’s water contributing to rivers, lakes and accessible aquifers.
Water continually circulates between the atmosphere, land and sea. Most of the water on Earth is saline seawater, which is unfit for human consumption. Only about 2.5% is fresh water. Polar ice caps and glaciers account for the majority of fresh water with only about 0.76% of Earth’s water contributing to rivers, lakes and accessible aquifers.
TASK
Write a paragraph that clearly summarises the graphical and video information above .
Air drop it to a study partner for review.
Make a redraft based upon the recommendations given. Increasing clarity and accuracy is the aim.
Write a paragraph that clearly summarises the graphical and video information above .
Air drop it to a study partner for review.
Make a redraft based upon the recommendations given. Increasing clarity and accuracy is the aim.
The water cycle
TASK
Complete the water cycle diagram below using as many of the key terms as possible, putting them in the correct place.
Add a key that also give the definitions and descriptions of the different processes.
Complete the water cycle diagram below using as many of the key terms as possible, putting them in the correct place.
Add a key that also give the definitions and descriptions of the different processes.
Can the past inform the future?
With the earth's climate becoming increasingly erratic and with weather patterns and norms already changing, it will become increasingly important to understand and adapt to a world where the water balance may shift and water scarcity becomes the norm.
TASK
Watch the video below and make a case study on how the climate and water cycle of the Sahara Desert has changed within the chronology of the human experience.
Watch the video below and make a case study on how the climate and water cycle of the Sahara Desert has changed within the chronology of the human experience.
The human need for water
Water is essential for life and for most activities of human society. Both economic and social development, and the maintenance of human health are completely dependent upon ready access to adequate water supplies. All societies require water both for basic survival and for economic development.
Problems satisfying water resource needs or demands are affecting a growing proportion of the world, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions where population pressures are considerable and demand for water is currently rising faster than at any time previously (Rodda, 2001). As a result, an increasing number of nations are struggling to find ways to cope and satisfy their needs as their populations grow and economies develop.
Problems satisfying water resource needs or demands are affecting a growing proportion of the world, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions where population pressures are considerable and demand for water is currently rising faster than at any time previously (Rodda, 2001). As a result, an increasing number of nations are struggling to find ways to cope and satisfy their needs as their populations grow and economies develop.
TASK
1. Explain how the human water cycle works.
2. What types of problems can cause water to be polluted and unfit for use?
3. Explain the science behind improving water quality shown in the video.
1. Explain how the human water cycle works.
2. What types of problems can cause water to be polluted and unfit for use?
3. Explain the science behind improving water quality shown in the video.
The problem with aquifers
TASK
State and explain the issues found in the different locations shown in the video.
Explain them in terms of the political, economic, environmental and social problems and impacts.
State and explain the issues found in the different locations shown in the video.
Explain them in terms of the political, economic, environmental and social problems and impacts.
Availability of improved water sources globally
According to the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, in 2015, 91% of the world’s population used drinking water from improved sources (58% from a piped connection in their dwelling, plot or yard, and 33% from other improved drinking water sources), leaving 663 million people lacking access to an improved source of water.
The world met the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal (MDG) drinking water target to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015 in 2010, 5 years ahead of schedule. More than 2 billion people gained access to improved water sources from 1990 to 2010. However, many people remain without access to improved drinking water.
Access to safe drinking water is measured by the percentage of the population having access to and using improved drinking water sources.
The world met the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal (MDG) drinking water target to halve the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015 in 2010, 5 years ahead of schedule. More than 2 billion people gained access to improved water sources from 1990 to 2010. However, many people remain without access to improved drinking water.
Access to safe drinking water is measured by the percentage of the population having access to and using improved drinking water sources.
Improved drinking water sources should, but do not always, provide safe drinking water, and include:
|
Unimproved drinking water sources include:
|
TASK
1. Describe the global distribution of deaths from unsafe water sources.
2. Describe the distribution of countries with over 8% of deaths from unsafe water sources.
3. Give 2 reasons why countries in Africa have the greatest share of deaths. Use the information below to help with your answer.
1. Describe the global distribution of deaths from unsafe water sources.
2. Describe the distribution of countries with over 8% of deaths from unsafe water sources.
3. Give 2 reasons why countries in Africa have the greatest share of deaths. Use the information below to help with your answer.
TASK
1. What are the main causes for the high levels of pollution in the Yamuna river?
2. What are the potential solutions to the pollution situation described in the video?
1. What are the main causes for the high levels of pollution in the Yamuna river?
2. What are the potential solutions to the pollution situation described in the video?
Physical water scarcity occurs when there is not enough water to meet all demands. Arid regions are most often associated with physical water scarcity, but an alarming new trends is an artificially created physical water scarcity due to over allocation and overdevelopment of water resources. Symptoms of physical water scarcity include, among other factors, severe environmental degradation and increasing occurrence of conflicts.
Economic water scarcity is caused by a lack of investment in water or a lack of human capacity to satisfy the demand for water, even in places where water is abundant. Symptoms of economic water scarcity include inadequate infrastructure development: people have trouble getting enough water for domestic and other purposes; high vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations: floods and drought; and inequitable distribution of water, even when infrastructure exists.
Economic water scarcity is caused by a lack of investment in water or a lack of human capacity to satisfy the demand for water, even in places where water is abundant. Symptoms of economic water scarcity include inadequate infrastructure development: people have trouble getting enough water for domestic and other purposes; high vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations: floods and drought; and inequitable distribution of water, even when infrastructure exists.
TASK
List all of the management strategies suggested in the video.
Which 2 do you believe would be the most effective. Justify your evaluations.
List all of the management strategies suggested in the video.
Which 2 do you believe would be the most effective. Justify your evaluations.
Are water wars a valid possibility?
The graphic shows that they have been pretty common across human history. But what about the future?
Underground water is being pumped so aggressively around the globe that land is sinking, civil wars are being waged, and agriculture is being transformed. Read the article below from National Geographic.
TASK - Summative
Water conflicts can be complex and difficult to solve. Here is an excellent documentary on the subject.
Watch the video below and write a short answer ( 600 - 800 words) to the question:
"Will water scarcity bring increasing conflicts in the 21st Century?"
Use evidence from the documentary, the Nile conflict above and some of your own research when constructing your evaluation and conclusion. Use political, economic, environmental and social perspectives in your thinking. Consider how the issues and conflicts alter from different perspectives and places.
Upload your written answer to Itslearning.
Water conflicts can be complex and difficult to solve. Here is an excellent documentary on the subject.
Watch the video below and write a short answer ( 600 - 800 words) to the question:
"Will water scarcity bring increasing conflicts in the 21st Century?"
Use evidence from the documentary, the Nile conflict above and some of your own research when constructing your evaluation and conclusion. Use political, economic, environmental and social perspectives in your thinking. Consider how the issues and conflicts alter from different perspectives and places.
Upload your written answer to Itslearning.
Style and structure
Ensure that everything being said relates back to the main question/argument, if it does not, it should not be included - quality over quantity.
Make sure you are forming and presenting your own opinion through academic research, rather than just relaying the information.
Ensure paragraphs stick to one idea/point and do not make them too long. There is no set limit. However, quality over quantity is important here as well.
Use a brief introduction, main body and conclusion.
Introduction: State what the essay is about and provide some brief background to the topic; the main ideas/issues/themes you will address and the order in which you will discuss them (Note: Explicit statements such as “This essay will...” should be avoided.)
Body: Develop your arguments and evaluations on the issues of increasing water conflict. Do this in a systematic and logical way and back them up with evidence from your reading, discussing the various sides, issues, debates and so on.
Conclusion: There needs to be a strong conclusion in which you pull the various strings of your argument together and relate it back to your introduction whilst covering what has been discussed in the essay. A conclusion is not a summary – you do not need to list each point you made in your argument but it should summarise the main issues and evaluations made.
There needs to be a logical, well-structured flow of your paragraphs and argument as a whole, where the final sentence of the paragraph leads the reader logically into the next paragraph. You need to avoid jumping from one issue to another, and back. Each paragraph should link back to the main topic and support the argument being made.
Ensure that everything being said relates back to the main question/argument, if it does not, it should not be included - quality over quantity.
Make sure you are forming and presenting your own opinion through academic research, rather than just relaying the information.
Ensure paragraphs stick to one idea/point and do not make them too long. There is no set limit. However, quality over quantity is important here as well.
Use a brief introduction, main body and conclusion.
Introduction: State what the essay is about and provide some brief background to the topic; the main ideas/issues/themes you will address and the order in which you will discuss them (Note: Explicit statements such as “This essay will...” should be avoided.)
Body: Develop your arguments and evaluations on the issues of increasing water conflict. Do this in a systematic and logical way and back them up with evidence from your reading, discussing the various sides, issues, debates and so on.
Conclusion: There needs to be a strong conclusion in which you pull the various strings of your argument together and relate it back to your introduction whilst covering what has been discussed in the essay. A conclusion is not a summary – you do not need to list each point you made in your argument but it should summarise the main issues and evaluations made.
There needs to be a logical, well-structured flow of your paragraphs and argument as a whole, where the final sentence of the paragraph leads the reader logically into the next paragraph. You need to avoid jumping from one issue to another, and back. Each paragraph should link back to the main topic and support the argument being made.
Mark scheme
1-2 The response is too brief, lists unconnected information, is not focused on the question and lacks structure.
3- 4 The response is too general, lacks detail, is not focused on the question and is largely unstructured.
5-6 The response partially addresses the question, but with a narrow argument, an unsubstantiated conclusion, and limited evaluation.
7-8 The response addresses the whole question, the analysis is evaluated and the conclusion is relevant but lacks balance.
9-10 The response is in-depth and question-specific; analysis and conclusion are justified through well-developed evaluation of evidence and perspectives.