Case Study #1- Scarcity

Directions: Analyze the following case studies and answer the questions that follow.

Case Study:Turmoil Reduces Oil Supply

Oil is a scarce resource, but events in the Middle East have made it more so. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 by the U.S and British- led coalition forces led to an almost immediate shutdown of Iraq's oil exports, thereby reducing the availability of crude oil by some 1.8 million barrels per day. Unrest in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, further added to global scarcity. More than two years later, in part due to continued unrest in the Middle East, oil was still sluggish. One result of the continued scarcity was a rise in energy prices. Increased energy prices in turn caused shipping costs to rise. The increased costs of shipping led shippers to seek more economical means of transport. Some shippers have decreased their use of planes and trucks. Instead, they have turned to less fuel- dependent modes of transport. One example is the use of double stacked railroad cars that can carry two shipping containers stacked one on top of the other.

How did this situation in the Middle East cause scarcity?

Case Study: Water Scarcity Directions: Using the graph below, answer the following questions.

Water Scarcity in 2006

Name the areas that are experiencing physical water scarcity

Name the countries areas that are experiencing economic water scarcity.

Why do you think some areas are facing water scarcity?

How do you think water scarcity is affecting different parts of the world?

Compare the two maps above, showing freshwater stress from the year 1995 and projected to the year 2025. What are the changes that you see happening in which areas?

Why do you think the water shortage is projected to worsen?

Case Study: Teacher Shortage

Many high schools throughout the United States have faced a serious shortage of math and science teachers. Many prospective teachers choose to go into business and industry because of higher salaries. In some communities businesses are "loaning" employees who want to teach part-time to schools to fill the math and science teacher shortage.

Does the scenario above illustrate scarcity? Why or why not?