Water+Matters

Please post at least five to six questions from the suggested readings on this Wiki. These questions will be used by the facilitator Deborah Lange from the Steinbrenner Institute at Carnegie Mellon University to facilitate the discussion.

Readings link:

• Freshwater and Foreign Policy: New Challenges __ [] __

• The Last Drop __ [] __

• The Burden of Thirst __ [] __

__**Questions from Roots School Systems**__
 * Freshwater and Foreign Policy **
 * 1) ====Is there a link between foreign policy and water policy with respect to your country? ====
 * 2) ====Water conflict in between countries yet not resolved why? ====
 * 3) ====How could technology and idea help the world to save the natural resources such as water? ====
 * 4) ====Scarcity of water could be finished if countries cooperate and negotitate? ====
 * 5) ====Human right to water taken up by the UN, is that enough for the world to save water? ====

**Last Drop **

 * 1) ====Is water conversation is the only way to protect the dying earth? ====
 * 2) ====Is it justified that large water users pay fewer water rates? ====
 * 3) ====Is water scarcity is only the main problem we face? ====
 * 4) ====Can a glass of water saved per day could save millions of life per year? ====
 * 5) ====Can anyone really own water? ====

**The Burden of Thirst **

 * 1) ====Are developed countries are only responsible to provide clean within their own boundaries? ====
 * 2) ====Why are doctors exploiting poor patient again and again for water related diseases? ====
 * 3) ====Is having water the only worth full task the African women have to perform? ====
 * 4) ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif';">Why water related disease awareness program aren’t carried out in rural areas? ====
 * 5) ====<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow','sans-serif';">Rich countries: poor water;true or false? ====

Questions from Baldwin:

Freshwater and Foreign Policy 1. What would be the most important pros and cons of the US developing an International Water Policy? Would you consider the US refraining from an International Water Policy selfish or smart?

2. Many countries are fighting over water when instead they could be helping each other. Do you think that they are fighting because they feel controlling the water gives power or because they actually need the water desperately? In either case, explain how this could be resolved.

3. Is it the real responsibility of countries with adequate water supplies to address these issues in other countries? If so, what role/responsibility does the involved country have?THe

4. People in developing countries need clean water to survive but lack the resources and technology to clean contaminated waters. What are some ways we can change this besides just providing clean water? Should we be focused on innovating new technology to clean water or just giving it to those who need it?

5. Considering the world's population is 7 billion and the fact that most people who have adequate water supplies do nothing to conserve it, is it surprising that 1.1 billion people lack safe drinking water?

The Last Drop 1. Should more communities, cities, states, countries become more like Alberquerque? Is it too drastic? Not drastic enough?

2. What do you think would have to happen to encourage or force people to conserve water?

3. The depletion of water would cause a chain of reactions, such as a major decrease in agricultural production. Can you think of any other things a depletion of the water supply would affect? Are there any possible substitutions for water in these cases?

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both the hard and soft-path solutions? Which is the better option for the short-term and the long term?

5. Should certain regions be abandoned becaue of lack of water?

The Burden of Thirst 1. In most developed countries, there are bottles of water, sinks that produce water, running showers and flushable toilets. All of this requires running water, which is used liberally. Do you think people would change the way they use water if it wasn't so readily available? And do you think Aylito would still conserve water if she didn't have to work so hard to get it?

2. Should entire communities be forced to relocate to areas where water is more accessible?

3. Is WaterGuard an improvement for society considering all the chemicals put into the water will be consumed by people?

4. This article proves how important water is to societies, so matter the cultural differences. Imagine these societies 20 years from now. Do you predict there will be a more plentiful supply of water? If so, what kind of advancements will these societies develop to make that happen?

5. In all 3 articles, Americans overuse of water is well documented. Are Americans selfish water consumers? Why do you think Americans waste so much water?

From Fox Chapel Area High School 1. Is water a resource to be shared or a commodity to be sold for profit? 2. Would a US Federal Law limiting water usage be helpful or would it be seen as a violate of a citizen's freedom? 3. Would the US involvement in international water disputes be helpful or cause further tension? 4. Technology that would improve access to potable water is available to those that can pay. Is there a moral obligation to share this technology with those that can not afford it? ++++more questions to come+++++