Throughout the world’s history, great civilizations have relied on a reliable and plentiful source of water to fuel prosperity. China, a venerable world power, with its huge population and rapid industrialization is facing a water crisis. The mega cities of the north, especially Beijing the capitol, desperately need new sources of water to supply the needs of the burgeoning population. China has traditionally relied on massive public work projects to solve its problems and is now planning a water diversion project to move six trillion gallons of water a year to the north China plain from the Yangtze river. Fresh water is a finite resource. Water diversion to large metropolitan areas leaves less water for agriculture, ecosystems, and replenishment of aquifers. A successful solution to the water crisis will need coordinated action on many fronts. These areas of focus must include conservation, equitable allocation, channeling rainfall into collection basins to replenish aquifers, effective pollution control, and modified settlement patterns .
The water crisis in Southern California has many commonalities with the problems facing China. Our water supply is primarily provided by aqueducts, monumental engineering projects, that transport water from Northern California and the Colorado River. So much water is diverted to feed the insatiable appetite of the southern cities and agribusinesses that relations with Northern California, neighboring states ,and Mexico are becoming strained.
Both China and California need to find sustainable solutions . Comparing and contrasting the ways the crisis is being handled here at home and in China and researching sustainable strategies would be a great student project . This topic blends science and social science in an impactful way.
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