به انگلیسی

When the Land Runs Short

Geography · People & Environments · ages 11-14

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which of these is an example of cooperation between countries over the environment?
- Two neighboring countries competing over the same shrinking grazing land
- An international agreement to cut down on gases that warm the climate
- A country closing its borders to trade
Which of these is an example of environmentally-driven tension between people?
- Two countries arguing over a shared river that is running low on water
- Two countries signing a treaty to split river water fairly
- A country planting trees to restore a forest
As land, water, or food become scarcer, the people who depend on them are more likely to end up in tension over what is left.
Circle one: True False
Two countries share a river. Instead of fighting over the water, they sign an agreement on how much each side can use. What is this an example of?
- Cooperation
- Migration
- Deforestation
Herders in a dry region move their animals onto farmland because the grazing land has dried up. What is the most likely result?
- The farmers happily give up their fields
- The drought ends as soon as the herders move
- Tension with the farmers, since they now need the same land
A drought shrinks the harvest, so there is less food to sell. What usually happens next in the chain?
- The smaller harvest doesn't affect anyone
- Food prices rise, since there is less to sell
- The next harvest instantly becomes bigger
Which chain correctly shows how environmental change can lead to conflict?
- Drought, then smaller harvest, then rising prices, then migration
- Rising prices, then drought, then migration, then smaller harvest
- Migration, then smaller harvest, then drought, then rising prices
A student says: "Environmental change always leads to war and never to cooperation." What is wrong with this claim?
- Environmental change never affects countries
- Wars are always caused by environmental change alone
- Environmental pressure can also push countries to work together, such as through treaties

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

When the Land Runs Short W1-mt_Vlp61dF3KL-s1

An international agreement to cut down on gases that warm the climate · An agreement like this lets countries tackle a shared problem together instead of each acting alone.
Two countries arguing over a shared river that is running low on water · When a shared river shrinks, both countries need the same limited water, and that can lead to arguments.
True · When there is less to go around, the groups who need it are more likely to compete for it.
Cooperation · Agreeing on shared limits, instead of fighting, is cooperation.
Tension with the farmers, since they now need the same land · The herders and farmers now both need the same shrinking land, which can lead to conflict.
Food prices rise, since there is less to sell · When there is less food to go around, prices usually go up to match the shortage.
Drought, then smaller harvest, then rising prices, then migration · Each step causes the next: drought shrinks the harvest, which raises prices, which can push people to migrate.
Environmental pressure can also push countries to work together, such as through treaties · Shared environmental problems can push countries toward conflict or toward cooperation. It is not always one or the other.