Sharing the Earth's Water Supply, Part I

Many parts of this country and large areas of the world are facing inadequate supplies of fresh water, threatening human health, impairing prospects for agriculture and industry, and jeopardizing the survival of animals, plants, and entire ecosystems. Technological solutions, such as building dams and diverting water flow through elaborate transfer and irrigation systems, have not been sufficient to meet growing human needs and, in many cases, have introduced new problems.

In the first part of this module, some of the world's complex water-supply dilemmas are examined to help us identify the foundations of our thinking about water and the natural world, and to provoke our thinking about the following types of questions:

• How do we, as individuals and as a society, make choices about the use of natural resources?
• How do our traditions shape our thinking and influence our decisions?
• How does the use of such words as "resource" reflect our view of nature and our place in it?
• What are the consequences of our decisions on the quality of life -- not just of humans, but of all life on Earth?

Preparing for the Next Century, Part II

What condition will the earth's environment be in by the middle of the next century? Predictions based on current trends and indicators certainly vary. But even the most optimistic of these raise serious concerns. Without doubt, we face a major task in striving to safeguard the planet's ecological health while meeting the needs of a human population estimated to be nearly nine billion by the year 2050.

The crucial environmental issues ahead make it necessary that we examine our current views of nature, our lifestyles, the institutions that define our culture, and our notions of quality of life. Are these adequate? Or do they need to be altered to deal with the challenges ahead? The second part of this module examines cultural, political, socioeconomic, and ethical perspectives to inform our thinking about our environmental future.

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Use the menu to the left or the links below to explore this module.

• By clicking on Moderator and Panelists, you will be introduced to the professionals and scholars who discussed this very important topic at Virginia Tech 1996 and 1997.
  
  
• Video Excerpts will link you to selections from the Main Session. View a series of questions posed by the moderator and audience members at the forum — and the reponses of the panelists.
  
  
• Want to participate in a discussion with other people who have viewed the materials and are energetically thinking about the issue of genetic enhancement? Click on Discussion Topics to link to a public bulletin board and additional resources on the topic, such as a Reading List and Related Websites.
  
  
• News will provide updated information about this topic.
  
  
• Materials and information developed for:
  
  
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  Click on these links or use the tabs at the top of this webpage to navigate our site.

• Have a question? Email the module designer. Please also send comments and suggestions.

Transcripts of all video segments are available.

Enjoy!

Choices and Challenges Project
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Virgina Tech, Mail Code: 0227
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Phone: 540 231-6476 Fax: 540 231-7013
Email: choices@vt.edu