When Spanish engineers built a reservoir in Catalonia in the 1960s, they flooded the town of Sant Romà de Sau and drowned its buildings. But the ghosts of the village have since come back. Struck by a drought that is killing crops and squeezing businesses, the reservoir has dried to 1% of its capacity. The church has resurfaced as the waterline has plunged.
Setting my feet on the hard ground of a reservoir and walking through the ruins of a lost village felt like stepping into a disaster film. But it was nowhere near as surreal as seeing farmers, tourists and locals in a rich part of Spain fight over water – a natural resource that I take for granted. Source: The Guardian. María Ramírez
Lesson Title: Understanding the Water Crisis in Spain
Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the human dependence on water as a finite resource.
- Students will be able to analyze the causes and consequences of water scarcity in Spain, including the human and environmental impacts.
- Students will examine the potential role of climate change in exacerbating water scarcity.
- Students will explore potential solutions and adaptations to water scarcity in local and global contexts.
See additional material below. Read the full article here. And this article, “it makes me so sad“, both in The Guardian. And Watch the video below.
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- Introduction to the Water Crisis in Spain
- Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about water and its importance in our lives.
- Problem statement: Introduce the concept of water scarcity and explain its urgency by stating, “Millions of people worldwide are facing challenges due to water scarcity. Today, we’ll explore this issue in Spain.”
- The Reservoir of Sant Romà de Sau
- Show images of the dried-up reservoir and the village’s remains.
- Discuss the historical context: How engineers flooded the town decades ago and how the ruins are now visible.
- Impact on Communities
- Explore the emotional impact on individuals like Magdalena Coromina, who remembers a different time when rain and snow were abundant.
- Discuss the challenges faced by communities living near the reservoir.
- Climate Crisis and Water Supply
- Explain that scientists are uncertain about the specific role of climate change in shrinking water supplies.
- Highlight the broader implications for southern Europe as fossil fuel pollution exacerbates the crisis.
- The Mediterranean Region
- Discuss the vulnerability of western Mediterranean coasts to increased evaporation, shorter rainy seasons, and reduced mountain snow cover.
- Analyze the interconnectedness of climate change and water availability.
Activities; seeking Solutions (30 minutes):
- Group discussion: How can communities adapt to water scarcity?
- Group discussion: Facilitate a discussion around the following prompt: “How can individuals, communities, and governments adapt to water scarcity in a changing climate?” Encourage students to consider:
- Water conservation practices at home, school, and community level
- Sustainable agricultural techniques
- Policy changes and infrastructure improvements
- Creative solutions: Have students brainstorm and share individual or group ideas on chart paper or create posters promoting water conservation and adaptation strategies.
- Group discussion: Facilitate a discussion around the following prompt: “How can individuals, communities, and governments adapt to water scarcity in a changing climate?” Encourage students to consider:
- Introduction to the Water Crisis in Spain
Focusing on Spain:
- Analyze the social, economic, and environmental consequences of water scarcity in Spain, using the case of Catalonia as an example.
- To what extent is climate change a contributing factor to water scarcity in Spain? Discuss the scientific uncertainties and broader implications for the region.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies employed by individuals, communities, and the government in Spain to address water scarcity. Propose additional solutions or improvements.
Closure: Reflect on how students can contribute to water conservation efforts in their own community. Encourage them to share their knowledge with family and friends to spread awareness.