ENS 340 Water Equity in the Yucatan
This course will introduce students to the Yucatan’s history, culture, governmental policy, and environment within the context of water equity. Due to the region’s geology, virtually all the available water is underground with very few natural lakes or rivers. The course will explore 1) hydrology of the region, 2) how Pre-Columbians revered water and developed sophisticated strategies to cope with limited water resources, 3) how modern pressures and policies are challenging to balance access to safe drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and tourism, and 4) address how the Yucatan might adapt to further stresses associated with climate change.