How Much Is Enough?
How much do we use?What determines how much we use?What actions are needed to use only what we need?
There is an abundance of water on this planet, so why be concerned about our use of water?
Of all the water on the earth:• saltwater = 97.5%• freshwater = 2.5%Source: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_res.html
Of the earth’s freshwater:• 70% is ice and snow in Antarctica and on mountain tops and is unavailable for human use• 30% is ground water (water underground) or in rivers and lakes and possibly available for ecosystems and human use.Source: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_res.html
Only 0.3% of the water on earth is available for human use.
Source: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_res.html
That’s like being given a 375 ml can of soft drink and only being allowed to drink 1⅛ ml!
Unit StructureEssential Question: How much is enough?
Activity Set 1 - addresses the Unit Question: How much do we use?Activity Set 2 - addresses the Unit Question: What determines how much we use?Activity Set 3 - addresses the Unit Question: What actions are needed to use only what we need?Activity Set 4 - addresses the Essential Question: How much is enough?
Activity Set 1 How much do we use?
•
Activity Set 1(Activities 1 to 5)
Through these activities you will:•Identify the main ways you use water•Calculate how much water you use
You will complete a detailed My Water Usage Report
Activity Set 2What determines how much we use?
How is water being used in this picture? Does it have anything to do with saving water?
Activity Set 2(Activities 6 to 12)
Through these activities you will investigate three areas that influence your personal water usage:
1) regulation by the authorities (eg. water restrictions)2) your behaviours (wasteful versus water saving) 3) lifestyle choices (including discovering “Hidden
Water” in your life)
You will keep a record of what you discover in a Research Journal
How is water being used in this picture? Does it have anything to do with saving water?
How is water being used in this picture? Does it have anything to do with saving water? What do our lifestyle choices have to do with saving water?
Does keeping fish have anything to do with our water use? What do our lifestyle choices have to do with saving water?
Activity Set 3 What actions are needed to use only what we need?
Activity Set 3(Activities 13 to 14)
Using what you have learned in Activity Sets 1 and 2, you will:
• develop effective water saving strategies that support sustainability• present evidence to defend your strategies• participate in actions that promote your strategies• contribute to a water saving strategies and information Wiki
You will develop and publish a Strategic Action Plan.
Activity Set 4
How much is enough?
Activity Set 4(Activity 15)
Using what you have learned in Activity Sets 1, 2 and 3, you will:
• persuasively promote the values, behaviours and lifestyles that support environmental sustainability in your community and beyond
You will produce and publish a multimedia presentation as your response to the Essential Question: How much is enough?
... but for now, the question remains ...
How Much Is Enough?
Sources
All images provided by Alan Thwaites
Statistical Information: http://www.unwater.org/statistics_res.html
© State of Victoria 2010 Alan Thwaites participates in the Intel Teach Program as a Senior Trainer and facilitator; he developed this portfolio. Copyright is owned by the Crown in right of the State of Victoria. It may be reproduced in whole or in part for study or training purposes, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and no commercial usage or sale. Reproduction for the purposes other than those indicated above requires the written permission of the Department of Education. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and copyright should be addressed to the Liability Management Manager, Department of Education, 2 Treasury Place, Melbourne, VIC, 3002The State of Victoria accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any part of this material and bears no responsibility for any modifications made.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
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