Water Scarcity and Management Overview

Key Terms

• Drought: A prolonged period with little or no rain, leading to water shortages.
• Climate change: Global or regional shifts in climate patterns, often linked to human activity and influencing rainfall and temperature.
• Desalination: The process of removing salt from seawater to make it potable.
• Irrigation: Artificially supplying water to crops to promote growth.
• Water management: Strategies to use and protect water resources efficiently.
• Public services: Government-provided services like healthcare and education.
• Sustainability: Using resources responsibly to meet current needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
• Push and pull factors: Factors causing people to leave or move to a certain region (e.g., water scarcity).
• Quality of life: Individuals' and society's general well-being.
• Infrastructure: Basic facilities (roads, water, electricity) essential for society.

Human Causes of Water Scarcity

• Overuse of water for agriculture, industries, and households.
• Pollution of water sources by waste and chemicals.
• Deforestation reducing natural water retention.

Natural Causes of Water Scarcity

• Droughts.
• Climate change.
• Seasonal changes affecting rainfall.

Effects of Water Scarcity

• Reduced access to drinking water.
• Impact on agriculture, leading to food shortages.
• Health issues due to lack of clean water.

Liveability

• Liveability: How suitable a place is for living, considering safety, services, and environment.
• Factors positively influencing liveability: Good infrastructure, clean water access, safety, and community services.
• Factors negatively influencing liveability: Pollution, lack of water, poor infrastructure, and high crime rates.
• How liveability impacts people's choices: People may relocate to areas with better standards of living or avoid places with poor conditions.

Economics (Term 4 Concepts)

• Supply and demand: The amount of a product available (supply) versus the amount people want it (demand).
• Producers and consumers: Producers make goods/services; consumers buy them.
• Price: The cost of a product or service.
• Income: Money earned through work or business.
• Expenses: Money spent on needs and wants.
• Profits: Money remaining after subtracting expenses from income.
• Needs vs. wants: Needs are essential for survival; wants are desirable but not necessary.
• Goods and services: Goods are physical items; services are actions performed for others.
• Imports and exports: Imports are goods brought into a country; exports are goods sent to other countries.
• Entrepreneurs: Individuals who start and run businesses.
• Costs and risks of running a business: Financial costs (rent, wages, materials, utilities) and potential failure risks.
• Characteristics of entrepreneurs: Creativity, determination, risk-taking, problem-solving.
• How imports and exports contribute to the economy: Imports provide access to goods not locally produced; exports bring money into the country.
• Australia's imports and exports: Australia exports minerals (iron ore, coal), agricultural products (wheat, beef); imports include electronics, cars, and clothing.
• Factors influencing price: Supply and demand, production costs, and competition.

Additional Tips

• Practice clear and concise writing.
• Use real-life examples to illustrate concepts (e.g., drought in a community).

This quiz explores key terms and concepts related to water scarcity and management, focusing on human-induced factors contributing to water shortages. Topics covered include drought, climate change, desalination, and sustainability, providing a comprehensive understanding of water resource challenges.