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Water Rights and Ethics: Who Really Owns the Water?

ID

4H-1034P

Authors as Published

Authored by Isabelle Largen, Assistant Director of Food Access Initiatives, VT Engage, Virginia Tech; Luke Juran, Associate Professor, Geography, Virginia Tech; Erika Bonnett, Senior Extension Specialist, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech; Erin J. Ling, Water Quality Senior Extension Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech; Leigh-Anne H. Krometis, Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech; and Madeline E. Schreiber, Professor, Geosciences, Virginia Tech

This publication is available in a PDF file format only.

Water issues occur everywhere and affect all people. Who has access to water—and how much—is one major issue. Large scale water use and development—for example, for irrigation, bottling, industrial processes, energy production, dams, and recreation—occur almost everywhere. This lesson explores water use and access through a fictional and real-life example using role playing and discussions. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the ethics of water resource use and apply them to their local community and environment.


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Publication Date

February 19, 2025