Water is super important for all of us on Earth. Without it, we wouldn’t be here! Did you know that the water we drink today is the same water that dinosaurs drank millions of years ago? That’s because Earth has a fixed amount of water that keeps moving around in a cycle.
The water cycle is a process that includes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Here’s how it works:
This cycle gives us fresh water, which is a limited resource. We have to be careful with it because it’s all the fresh water we’ll ever have.
Sometimes, people make it hard to get fresh water by polluting, blocking rivers, or using too much water. This can hurt animals and people. For example, when there’s less fresh water, it can be scary because we need water for drinking, growing food, and many other things.
Let’s look at California, a place that doesn’t have enough water right now. California is in a drought, which means it isn’t raining as much as it needs to. Plus, the Colorado River, which used to flow all the way to the sea, often dries up before reaching the ocean. This means less water for California.
When there’s not enough water, people start to argue about who should get it. California grows a lot of fruits, nuts, and vegetables for the United States, so the amount of water they have affects many people. These arguments often end up in courtrooms, where people try to decide who gets how much water.
Water scarcity isn’t just a problem in California. Many states along the Colorado River are arguing about water too. They have to decide whether to send water to faraway cities or keep it for places closer to the river. They also have to choose between giving water to farmers or to homes.
These are tough questions, and water has been a source of conflict for thousands of years. Next time, we’ll explore different ways people are trying to solve the problem of water scarcity. Maybe you’ll come up with some ideas too!
Water Cycle in a Bag: Create your own mini water cycle! You’ll need a clear plastic bag, a permanent marker, and some water. Draw the sun, clouds, and ocean on the bag. Pour a small amount of water into the bag, seal it, and tape it to a sunny window. Watch as the water evaporates, condenses, and forms droplets, just like the real water cycle! Talk about what you see happening in the bag and how it relates to the water cycle you learned about.
Water Detective: Go on a water detective mission around your home or school. Look for ways water is used and think about how you can save water. For example, check if the taps are dripping or if the toilet is running. Make a list of things you can do to save water, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or using a watering can instead of a hose. Share your findings with your family or classmates and see who can come up with the most water-saving ideas!
Imagine a World Without Water: Close your eyes and imagine what a day would be like without any water. How would you brush your teeth, take a bath, or cook food? Draw a picture or write a short story about your day without water. Discuss with your friends or family why water is so important and what life would be like if we didn’t have enough of it.
