The hydrosphere Case studies
Gaza – Palestinian territory:
For 4,000 years, water wells have provided the people with freshwater but recently saltwater has
leaked into it meaning it is no longer drinkable. 97% of Gaza wells today are unfit for human
consumption.
If nothing is done, the UN predicts Gaza will become unliveable.
Without water, they cannot wash, cook, or drink.
The government is not providing water. ‘Never in my life have I met somebody who has 24-hour
water supply.
Predicted that in 10 years the worldwide demand for water will outstrip supply by 40%.
Salton Sea, California:
One attracted more tourists than Yosemite National Park. Freshwater once covered the are but has
now diverted. The water is also very polluted.
Demand for food contributes to the change in water contributes to the change in water distribution
and water availability.
Vandenburg Air force base, California:
Total amount of water on Earth does not change:
GRACE mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) – to discover where the water goes and
how it moves across the planet.
In rainforests, trees pump water back into the sky, forming Arial rivers above the canopies.
GRACE Satellite – circles earth every 94.5 minutes, gathering data on weight of snowstorms, floods,
droughts.
15 years
Wet areas are becoming wetter, and dry areas are becoming drier
Drought
Cape Town Reservoir, South Africa:
2015 – drought in South Africa.
3 years – no rain
Western Cape farmland drought caused death of many farmers
According to the UN, the areas worldwide affected by droughts have more than doubled in the past
few years.
Droughts affect more people than any other national hazard.
Gaza – Palestinian territory:
For 4,000 years, water wells have provided the people with freshwater but recently saltwater has
leaked into it meaning it is no longer drinkable. 97% of Gaza wells today are unfit for human
consumption.
If nothing is done, the UN predicts Gaza will become unliveable.
Without water, they cannot wash, cook, or drink.
The government is not providing water. ‘Never in my life have I met somebody who has 24-hour
water supply.
Predicted that in 10 years the worldwide demand for water will outstrip supply by 40%.
Salton Sea, California:
One attracted more tourists than Yosemite National Park. Freshwater once covered the are but has
now diverted. The water is also very polluted.
Demand for food contributes to the change in water contributes to the change in water distribution
and water availability.
Vandenburg Air force base, California:
Total amount of water on Earth does not change:
GRACE mission (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) – to discover where the water goes and
how it moves across the planet.
In rainforests, trees pump water back into the sky, forming Arial rivers above the canopies.
GRACE Satellite – circles earth every 94.5 minutes, gathering data on weight of snowstorms, floods,
droughts.
15 years
Wet areas are becoming wetter, and dry areas are becoming drier
Drought
Cape Town Reservoir, South Africa:
2015 – drought in South Africa.
3 years – no rain
Western Cape farmland drought caused death of many farmers
According to the UN, the areas worldwide affected by droughts have more than doubled in the past
few years.
Droughts affect more people than any other national hazard.
