Through class activities, readings, and practical assignments, this course analyzes the concept of water, its natural cycle, and the impact that changes in its trajectory have on hydric security to maintain the well-being of humanity, the environment, and to cope with socio-economic development. Attention is given to the root causes of water problems and to integrated watershed management as a preventive approach to resilience to climate change.
This course gives students the knowledge to describe and explain water and its natural cycle concepts as well as the ability to identify and discuss sustainable solutions to problems within the integrated watershed management framework to promote hydric security as a preventive approach to climate change resilience.
Water is scarce and deteriorated in many parts around the world, yet its global demand for human consumption and other uses is expected to increase towards the year 2050. Furthermore water will be the means by which the effects of climate change will be felt by people, the environment and the economy. Water management has been inefficient to solve these problems and the course prepares students with the knowledge and understanding to think and act proactively to cope with existing water problems and avoid a generation of new ones in their area of influence.
Sustainable water management must be sustained in God's perfect work as expressed in Genesis 1:31 when He said that everything He did was good after He had created the heavens and the earth, specifically in the perfect design of the natural water cycle to sustain all forms of life as described in Psalms 65:9-13 and 104:10-15.
Students bring hope to people in their area of influence experiencing health, economic or other problems due to water scarcity or water contamination by sharing the knowledge acquired in the course. Students are equipped to contribute in raising the quality of life of the people and in promoting social and economic growth through the implementation of integrated water management approaches.
Access to water in sufficient quantities and good quality represents a burden to many people. Climate change impacts and inefficient water management practices represent a risk to people, the environment and the economy. The students are prepared to propose solutions within the integrated water management approach.
Water is a common good that has no borders. In the course, students explore different cultural, social and political scenarios to strengthen their understanding of water management practices.
With the aid of case-studies and practical activities, this course gives students the necessary tools and knowledge to contribute in areas experiencing water problems and where water supply is scarce or deteriorated.
The course is designed for students to gain experience through case-studies, visual tools and practical activities to develop their ideas based on the concepts and knowledge acquired in the course.
