Current Issues: Water Scarcity in a Warming World

Cape Town Crisis:  Water Scarcity in a Warming World

An unprecedented event is unfolding in South Africa, due to a historic drought that may cause the city of Cape Town (population 3.75 million) to turn off its tap water. Help your students understand the impact of water scarcity with our latest Current Context issue, "Cape Town Crisis:  Water Scarcity in a Warming World."   This issue includes everything your students need:  an explanation of the desalination process (complete with an easy-to-follow diagram from our partners at KQED Education), a chart students can analyze in order to understand how we use water and what past consumption might tell us about future use, and an infographic that helps students understand how much water is needed to make everyday items like blue jeans, microchips, and cheeseburgers.