Ripple Effects

A student in South Africa points to the contrast between the importance, and beauty, of water and the challenges of damage to the ecosystem. While in Finland a student reflects on the differences government regulation have made in the cleanliness of local lakes. And, in the US, a student reflects on ways in which water is taken for granted in her culture, including in water bottles. Water is an essential element in all our lives, but our interactions, awareness, and emotions about it can be widely varied. Yet learning about the experiences and thoughts of others across cultures helps us understand more about the world, and more about ourselves. The essays in this book were the result of a project created for students to investigate issues of nature and climate change as a physical and cultural experience, both in their communities and with peers in other countries.