GEF

Unit 1  |  Why Water Matters 15 Water is the indispensable resource without which life is impossible. Civilizations have thrived or collapsed depending on their access to and control of water. Despite this reality, many people remain unaware of how much our lives depend on this remarkable substance. In much of the world, accessing reliable and clean water remains hard work. The current water struggles that millions of people endure are expected to spread as population growth, mounting consumption, and climate change combine into a global water crisis. In this unit we will explore these challenges and how they are prompting people around the globe to promote forward-thinking approaches to water that are aligned with sustainability and the ecological systems of the Earth. THE BIG IDEA SUSTAINABILITY The long-termmaintenance of economic, environmental, and social health. ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS Large-scale components of the Earth, such as the oceans, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. UNIT 1 SELF-ASSESSMENT Before beginning this unit, consider what you already know about why water matters by completing this self-assessment. For each statement below, rate your current level of confidence with understanding sustainable water concepts. NOT CONFIDENT SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT CONFIDENT I am able to explain the ways that people use water for agriculture, domestic use, and industry. ❍ ❍ ❍ I am able to explain the concept of water efficiency. ❍ ❍ ❍ I can explain the benefits and drawbacks of dams. ❍ ❍ ❍ I can explain how agriculture affects water resources, especially groundwater. ❍ ❍ ❍ I can describe domestic water systems and some of the challenges that they are facing. ❍ ❍ ❍