Water, Water, Everywhere? Notes

Water, Water, Everywhere?

Issues in Canadian Geography

  • Course overview:
    • Becoming a Geographer
    • Physical Geography
    • Economic Geography
    • Human Geography
    • Sustainability

Economic Geography

  • Unit overview:
    • We Are All Connected
    • Living Sustainably
    • Wealth from the Earth
    • Electricity Production
    • Water, Water, Everywhere?
    • Food Sustainability

Learning Goals and Success Criteria

  • Learning Goal: Understand water sources and develop problem-solving skills using a water calculator.
  • Enhance teamwork and communication skills through group mind map activities.
  • Success Criteria:
    • Identify and apply geographic thinking concepts to water-related issues.
    • Analyze factors affecting access, use, and location of natural resources.
    • Analyze issues related to the sustainable development of resources and industries in Canada.

Big Idea

  • Canada has a wealth of fresh water, but it is not universally accessible.

Introduction

  • Canada houses about 20% of the world's freshwater supply.
  • Consider challenges related to water by watching "Water Facts".
  • Examples from the video:
    • Mexico City is sinking due to water removal from the aquifer.
    • Rivers flowing into the Aral Sea have been redirected for agricultural irrigation.
    • Many people lack access to drinking water in Mexico City.
  • Question: Are there areas in Canada that do not have access to drinking water?

Local Water Supply Mind Map

  • Create a mind map centered on "Water Supply in KW (Kitchener-Waterloo)".
  • Main topics:
    • Where does it come from?
    • How is it treated?
    • Where is it treated?
    • Threats to the water supply
    • Other information about water supply
  • Include facts, photos, and key points.

Period Groups

  • Listing of student groups for various periods (Period 1, Period 2, Period 4).

Location of Freshwater in Canada

  • Accessible freshwater sources:
    • Rivers and Lakes
    • Ground Water
    • Glaciers & Icefields
    • Wetlands
  • Major Drainage Basins of Canada:
    • Arctic
    • Pacific
    • Hudson Bay
    • Gulf of Mexico
    • Atlantic

Water Usage Comparison

  • Canadians use a significant amount of water, though slightly less than Americans.
  • The difference between American and Canadian domestic water use is about 40 liters per day.
  • There are about 10 Americans for every Canadian; the total water use is much greater in the US.

Average Daily Domestic Water Use (Per Capita)

  • United States: 382 litres
  • Canada: 343 litres
  • Italy: 250 litres
  • Sweden: 150 litres
  • France: 150 litres
  • Israel: 135 litres

The 2,000+ Litre Cheeseburger

  • The products in a cheeseburger account for more than 2,000 litres of water.
  • This is equivalent to filling a bathtub seven times or more than 330 toilet flushes.
  • Agriculture accounts for 5% of Canada's total water withdrawal, while thermal power generation accounts for 67%.
  • 83% of the water used in agriculture is not returned to the watershed.

Virtual Water Content of Cheeseburger Components

  • Bun (50g): 70 litres
  • Bacon (60g): 230 litres
  • Veggies (35g): 5-10 litres
  • Cheese (30g): 150 litres (It takes about 5,000 litres of water)
  • Beef (150g): 1,615 litres
  • Condiments: 60-100 litres

Water Footprint of Various Food Items

  • Steak (beef, 6 ounces): 2550 litres
  • Hamburger (1): 2000 litres
  • Ham (pork, 3 ounces): 510 litres
  • Eggs (1 egg): 200 litres
  • Soda (17 ounces): 175 litres
  • Coffee (1 cup): 130 litres
  • Wine (1 glass): 130 litres
  • Salad (1): 80 litres

Water Use Calculator

  • Use the water use calculator to note household water use.
  • Complete the Water Use Exit Ticket to analyze the calculator's conclusions and submit it.

Reflection Questions on Water Usage

  1. Are you surprised by your water usage? Explain why or why not.
  2. Is your water usage comparable to other Canadians? Explain why.
  3. Analyze how you can reduce your water usage. Provide specific methods.

Managing Water Resources

  • Knowing family water use is the beginning; lifestyle consumes much more water.
  • Sustainable water management requires understanding all ways people and nations use global freshwater supplies.

The Water Brothers Episodes

  • Watch "More Food, Less Water" and answer the questions provided.
  • Watch “On Thin Ice” and answer the questions provided.
  • Watch "Water, Water Everywhere, but Not a Drop to Drink” and answer the questions provided.

Access to Fresh Water in Canada

  • Does everyone in Canada have the same access to fresh water?
  • Read the article “Kielburgers Take up fight for First Nations without clean water”.

Global Water Use Patterns

  • Can you predict water use patterns at a global level?

Water Withdrawals Per Capita (2010)

  • Measured in cubic metres (m^3) per year, from agricultural, industrial and municipal purposes.

Hidden Water: Cotton T-Shirts

  • Watch the National Geographic video “Cotton T-Shirts” to learn about the impact our consumer choices have.

Water Issues

  • Select a topic connected to water.
  • Complete the Water Issue Analysis Framework and check your work using the Geographic Inquiry Self-Assessment Checklist.

Supported Opinion Paragraph

  • Based on your research, write a Supported Opinion Paragraph, using the rubric to guide your work.

Grade 12 Environment and Resource Management

  • CGR 4M1

Staying Up-to-Date

  • Clear your Google Classroom To-do List
  • Ask questions through Google Classroom or in-person