tCarina Nieves
Nieves
Professor Trapani
October.24,2007
Speech Outline
Topic: Saving our fresh water resources
Specific Purpose: I will inform the audience about water consumption in the U.S. and
how we need to start preserving our fresh water resources.
Thesis: Americans use millions of gallons of water a day, many of which isn’t concerned
about the future of our fresh water. Already in many parts of the world reservoirs are
depleting in size due to many factors.
I. What is the problem?
A. Increased water consumption due to increasing populations
1. The Southwestern and Southeastern states have had an increase in population. With
an estimated increase in the world population to 6.6 billion as of September 2007,
having access to fresh water is going to be one of the major problems this century
caused by global warming.
B. Changing weather patterns around the world
1. According to ABC World News “the Southwest will be experiencing severe
drought for the next 90 to 100 years”. Precipitation has been
C. Manmade dams and irrigation systems
1. Irrigation systems and dams have changed the way our water systems work. They
also have a big impact on the ecosystem. By changing the way our water works can
also cause problems when there is too little or too much rain.
II. Where is it occurring?
A. In other countries
1. Lake Chad was once the sixth largest lake in the world but according to CNN “the
lake in 45 years has shrunk to half the size of Rhode Island. Only 10% of its earlier
size. Nearly 90% of its water is gone”. This lake is an important vital source for the
people because it borders four countries Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
2. According to BBC News “ In the state of Paraiba, Brazil has always been prone to
drought, but in recent years the rains have failed repeatedly, causing local reservoirs
to dry up”.
B. Now here in the U.S.
a. Lake Lanier supplies millions of gallons of water to the booming city of Atlanta,
Georgia. Now that the state has not been having enough rainfall during the summer
the city may only now have water enough for the next 80-90 days. According to a
report from ABC News climatologists say “much of the state is experiencing a
drought classified as extreme, which happens once every 50 to 100 years”.
III. How can we solve this problem?
A. Be aware of the problem
1. Spread the word to your friends and family about this problem so that they can also
know about water consumption.
B. Inform your local officials of the problem
1. Let your local politicians know of about this problem, and that we need to start
finding a solution to the problem before it is too late.
C. Tips to change our water habits
1. If your shower can fill a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds,
then replace it with a water-efficient showerhead.
2. Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You'll save up to 1000
gallons a month.
3. Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run
while you scrape them clean.
4. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save 4 gallons a minute.
That's 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Conclusion:
Works Cited
Bohannon, John. "Global Warming is No Sweat- for Plants." ScienceNOW 15 Feb. 2006:
1-2. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Long Island City. 16 Oct. 2007
<http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/215/4>.
Bohannon, John. "Not a Drop to Drink." ScienceNOW 21 Aug. 2006: 1-2. Academic
Search Premier. EBSCO. Long Island City. 16 Oct. 2007
<http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/821/5>.
"Georgia Declares State of Emergency Over Drought." ABC News. 21 Oct. 2007.
Reuters News Service. 22 Oct. 2007
<http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3757980>.
"Georgia Declares State of Emergency Over Drought."
ABC News. 21 Oct. 2007. Reuters News Service. 22 Oct. 2007
<http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3757980>.
Gupta, Sanjay, ed. "Central Africa." CNN. Oct. 2007. 20 Oct. 2007
<http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/cntrlafrica.html>.
Hirsch, Tim. "The Fight for Fresh Water." BBC News. 12 Aug. 2002. 23 Oct. 2007
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2188070.stm>.
Jonsson, Patrik. "South Struggles to Cope with Drought." ABC News. 21 Oct. 2007. 21
Oct. 2007 <http://abcnews.go.com/International/CSM/story?id=3758169>.