Why It Matters: Water Scarcity
Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Podcasts
Subjects: Social Studies, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Gabrielle Sierra
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > District of Columbia > Washington
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this podcast episode, the host speaks with the founder and director of the Global Water Policy Project, Sandra Postel, and Georgetown geography professor Mark Giordano, to learn about solutions for conserving water and protecting the water cycle.
- Students will learn about the water cycle and how climate change and uneven human consumption have caused many regions to experience water scarcity.
- Students will also learn that agriculture and textiles use a tremendous amount of water, with agriculture using the most water by far and understand the effects on the Colorado River.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This podcast episode will help foster the understanding that water is a shared resource.
- A full transcript of the podcast episode is available.
- The show notes provide links to sources for further reading.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of the water cycle.
- An advertisement plays at 15:10.
Differentiation
- Civics or social studies classes could discuss the relationship between water availability and geopolitics.
- As an extension to this resource, consider inspiring the students to think of a creative way of making more water available to vulnerable people within their neighborhood or community.
- Science classes could use this resource for lessons about the water cycle, human uses of water, the thermal expansion of water, the phases of water, or how water is essential for life.
- Other resources on this topic include this resource about the water cycle, this article about how forests protect water for cities, and this United Nations article on climate migrants.
This resource is a podcast that takes a close look at multiple issues related to water scarcity and climate change. This resource includes interviews with experts and covers topics including the water cycle, climate change, policy, resource conflict, and environmental personhood. A transcript is also available. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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