The document discusses issues around global water supply, demand, and scarcity. It focuses on the Ganges River in India and the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers in China as examples. Over 1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water due to factors like population growth, pollution, and diversion of water for agriculture. Rivers in populated regions of Asia and Africa are drying up due to water extraction and dams. Clean water availability will continue to be a major global challenge and affect economies going forward.

1. Thirsty Planet
Supply, Demand and Scarcity
Social Studies
On this paper, respond to each of the following questions – you do not have to answer in complete
sentences, but be very thorough and specific when crafting your answers.
1. What is the name of India’s sacred river?
2. How many people live on the banks of the river and depend on it for their water supply?
3. List three reasons the plan to clean the river has failed?
4. What was a) the suggested alternative plan for cleaning the river b) who proposed it and c) what was
the result?
5. Describe how the people of India “treat” the river (with respect, poorly, etc.)?
6. Based on information provided in the article, and what you already know about the size and
populations of India and China, draw a conclusion to determine how many people in the world lack clean
and safe drinking water?
7. Why are rivers in Africa and Asia slowly drying up?
8. What is something that uses/requires a lot of water, but is also important for human survival?
9. What is the population of China noted in the article?
10. What is wrong with the Yangtze River in China? (be specific and descriptive)

2. 11. Describe the condition of China’s Yellow River.
12. Describe the what and where of “cancer villages?”
13. How many people in China lack access to water that is clean enough for regular use?
14. What is the population of India, as noted in the article?
15. What has a higher priority in India than clean water or preservation of water?
16. What percentage of water does the answer to #15 consume?
17. What is one war that was caused by lack of water? Where?
18. In your opinion, why and how are water and the global economy related? How does the availability
of water impact the economy? Discuss using specific examples.