At the end of Unit 2, we reflected back on what we had learned and how it affected our personal feelings about water use. Now we are at the close of Unit 3, The Social Science of Water. Let’s broaden our reflection now to think about implications for national and international policy and the future of our world.

Let’s reflect and discuss…

How we store, transport, and use water has implications for economic growth, environmental sustainability, international relations and security, and public health, to name a few. What is the path forward? Do we need more or less regulation? Should clean water be distributed freely as a human right, or bought and sold as a commodity? Whose job is it to decide how water will be used and by whom? Do you feel confident that your children and grandchildren, should you choose to have any, will have access to unlimited clean water like you did?

Please draw upon information from The Big Thirst, the materials and case studies presented in this course, current events, and other reliable internet sources to support your ideas. As always, be sure to give appropriate citation for your sources of information.