Question 1: Define 'sustainable development'.

Answer: Development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Question 2: What is 'water scarcity' and how does it affect regions like California?

Answer: Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet demand, leading to shortages and conflicts, especially in arid regions like California.

Question 3: Explain the term 'renewable resource' with an example.

Answer: A resource that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy or forests.

Question 4: What is 'aquifer depletion' and why is it a concern in US states like Texas?

Answer: Aquifer depletion occurs when groundwater is extracted faster than it is recharged, leading to reduced water availability and land subsidence.

Question 5: Define 'environmental sustainability'.

Answer: Using resources in a way that maintains ecological balance and allows natural renewal for future use.

Question 1: Which US state is most affected by water scarcity due to over-extraction of groundwater?

Answer: California

Question 2: Name the major reservoir that has experienced significant water level decline since the early 2000s.

Answer: Lake Mead

Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the Colorado River Compact?

Answer: To allocate water rights among seven US states

Question 4: Identify one challenge faced by the US in managing its water resources.

Answer: Competing demands from agriculture, industry, and urban areas leading to overuse and conflicts.

Question 5: Briefly describe the concept of 'water recycling' in US urban areas.

Answer: The process of treating wastewater so it can be reused for irrigation, industrial processes, or groundwater recharge.

Question 1: Based on the Lake Mead case, explain the main causes of its declining water levels.

Answer: Prolonged droughts, increased water demand from urban and agricultural use, and climate change reducing inflow into the reservoir.

Question 2: Analyze the social and economic impacts of water shortages in regions dependent on the Colorado River.

Answer: Water shortages lead to reduced agricultural productivity, increased costs for water supply, conflicts between states, and restrictions on urban water use, affecting livelihoods and regional stability.

Question 3: Describe the measures taken by US authorities to address declining water levels in Lake Mead.

Answer: Implementing water restrictions, promoting water conservation, investing in water recycling, and negotiating water-sharing agreements among states.

Question 4: Evaluate the effectiveness of recent policies aimed at sustainable water management in the Colorado River Basin.

Answer: Policies like the 2007 Interim Guidelines have helped mitigate some overuse, but challenges remain due to ongoing droughts and climate change, requiring more comprehensive, adaptive strategies.

Question 1: Explain why climate change exacerbates water scarcity issues in the southwestern US.

Answer: Climate change leads to increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns, resulting in prolonged droughts, reduced snowpack in mountains, and lower water inflows into reservoirs like Lake Mead, intensifying scarcity.

Question 2: Analyse the social, economic, and environmental impacts of over-extraction of groundwater in California's Central Valley.

Answer: Over-extraction causes land subsidence, reduces water availability for agriculture and communities, damages ecosystems, and increases costs for water supply, leading to social conflicts and environmental degradation.

Question 1: To what extent are current water management strategies in the US effective in ensuring sustainable resource use? Justify your answer.

Answer: Current strategies like water restrictions, recycling, and interstate agreements have made progress, but challenges such as climate change, population growth, and political conflicts limit their full effectiveness. Sustainable management requires more integrated and adaptive approaches, including technological innovation and policy reform.