Of all the many books on the rather wondrous qualities of water, this is probably the most comprehensive yet still rather quirky account. Discussion ranges from Old Testament references to water to the Big Bang. Ball is an accomplished science writer who was editor of the journal Nature for over 20 years.

Canadian environmental journalist Marq de Villiers was probably the first of many to present an engaging, big picture account of water. This multiple prize winning book looks at the ecological function of water and historical and cultural shifts in the ways in which it has been perceived by humans. It predicts a steady increase in tension and conflict over access to freshwater supplies.

This is a strong chapter in the world’s leading environmental science textbook.

Esteemed US scientist Sidney Perkowitz explains why scientists continue to be fascinated by water in his contribution to this beautifully presented book, which also features poems, essays and photos by a wide range of contributors.

In the tradition established by Marq de Villiers, US journalist Steven Solomon turns his attention to water in arguably the most compelling account of them all. Although it is written primarily for an American audience, this book is very well researched and constructed. It carries a wealth of information and ideas.

This is an introduction to a special edition of the Journal of Hydrology on social science and hydrology. In this introduction, the edition editors explain why it has become more important than ever before for people interested in the science of hydrology to work with people who have expertise in policy development and implementation.

A good concise overview of issues, challenges, and some responses

An innovative section on water in a well-crafted textbook.

www.gwp.org

GWP was formed in 1996 as a global network aimed at improving the governance and management of water resources worldwide.

http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/

IWMI is an international NGO based in Sri Lanka which has operated for more than 30 years. The website presents lots of up-to-date information on global water issues.

www.wsp.org

WSP is an international agency that is funded by a wide range of organisations including the World Bank. It aims to improve water security and sanitation for poor communities and is working in 25 different countries.

www.waterrf.org

Established in 1966, the US-based Water Research Foundation seeks to facilitate water research projects. The website provides access to a wide range of resources.

www.waterweb.org

This website provides a directory of water websites presented alphabetically. While the emphasis is on organisations working in the USA, the list contains a range of organisations operating elsewhere in the world.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/

NOAA is the agency charged with protecting American coastal and marine resources. Its website contains information about the world's oceans and marine resources, including information about marine protected areas.

www.conservation.org

This is the website of the US-based non-government organisation that offers expertise in a wide range of areas, including water management and marine protected areas.

http://www.fao.org/home/en/

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization provides access to good information about world poverty from the perspectives of food and water shortages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGgYTcPzexE

Duration: 3:48

Very informative slide show presented by FAOWater. No voice-over, so they can be used as background slides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdWyILlJKco

Duration: 4:44

This is a 2013 television interview in which Peter Lochery of CARE International explains why water scarcity is a growing problem globally. Lochery is a water engineer with over 30 years of experience internationally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMmXwKGRQXo

Duration: 4:28

Author Steven Solomon presents a challenging view of the global, social and political consequences of growing water scarcity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a4S23uXIcM

Duration: 5:23

This is a 2008 television report on the so-called vortex of garbage gathering in particular parts of the Pacific Ocean. Although the size and scope of floating islands of trash in the Pacific have sometimes been exaggerated, this report shows that plastic trash in the ocean is a major and growing environmental threat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxacxShp3LY

Duration: 2:34

This is a powerful short video on the dangers presented by overfishing globally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=767slG-Nlhk

Duration: 8:54

A well-presented and informative account of the dangers of overfishing in the world's oceans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2VNm7vMuvg

Duration: 1:39

This is a very short but informative presentation on marine protected areas in America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CchlgUuoUYY

Duration: 6:30

This is a compelling 2013 film on the importance of marine conservation zones in UK waters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb3NuljoD4c

Duration: 3:52

This is an excellent case study on the dangers of overfishing and the need for new forms of protection. Presented by Greenpeace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu8fSi9dpII

Duration: 57:49

An educational video produced by University of California TV.

Submitted by: Anthony Richardson, RMIT University, Australia

Description

This is a case study around overfishing (of the orange roughy) designed to demonstrate both/either the Tragedy of the Commons or the nature of complex (wicked) problems and the lack of a clear solution.

Steps

First, put students in four groups and outline the context of the issue (using the images on ‘orange_roughy_context.docx’) and ask each group to examine one of the four pieces of information about the issue:

1. Info about the orange roughy (lifecycle and behaviour)
2. The UN convention on fishing
3. The importance of the orange roughy fishing industry (to NZ)
4. Legal concerns

This then becomes a jigsaw reading, where one student from each group is moved into a new group and must then outline their facet of the complex issue to the rest of their new group.

Next, these new groups (possibly on a big piece of butcher’s paper) map the background issues, outline the stakeholders and then offer possible ways of approaching the solution. It’s crucial to ask students to be aware at this stage of the activity of what cultural or philosophical attitudes/constructs they are using to approach the issue; e.g. nation states can/cannot divide up the ocean; ‘there will always be more fish in the ocean,’ etc.

Finally, have each group report to the whole class outlining both their analysis of the issue (background and stakeholders) and their possible approach to addressing the issue.