Drought – why should we talk about it with adults and children?

Drought does not inspire horror, it does not flood the streets or spectacularly destroy homes. It is not violent, developing quietly – day after day, week after week – when there is no rainfall. Yet its effects are serious: dried out soil, agricultural losses, greater risk of wildfires, lowered water levels in rivers and wells, and sometimes missing taps.

In Poland, the phenomenon of drought is no longer incidental. Since 2015, its different faces have been recorded almost every season – meteorological (lack of rainfall), agricultural (shortage of water in the soil) or hydrological (low water levels in rivers and reservoirs). In subsequent years, drought was diagnosed as early as early spring. It is at this time of year, when the soil fed by the melt should be waking up to life, that the problems begin. The years 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2022 were among the particularly dry ones – we lived in a state of perpetual drought. All the more so because Poland is among the countries with very low water resources – in Europe we rank third from last. According to a report by the Central Statistical Office, renewable freshwater resources per capita in our country (according to data for 2023) amount to 1.3 thousand m ³, and UN studies indicate that an annual renewable resource of 1.7 thousand^m3 is needed to talk about water security.

To make matters worse, periods of drought are accompanied by other extreme phenomena, i.e. short-lived, intense rainfall, which do not mean the problem is solved. Dry soil loses its natural structure. It hardens, fuses together and ceases to be absorbent – acting like a sealed surface. In such a situation, heavy rain causes rapid surface runoff. Water – instead of soaking in – drains away with the slope of the land. Instead of recharging groundwater, it moves rapidly, often causing erosion and local flooding.

This phenomenon can be compared to the action of a sponge. A moist one accepts water easily and evenly. Extremely dry – it repels it. This is why it is so important to retain water in the landscape and prevent it from drying out (by any means possible).

How does drought manifest itself in the city, and how in rural areas?

Although the cause is the same – water scarcity – the effects of drought can look very different depending on where it occurs.

In rural areas, drought is evident almost immediately. Dry soil cracks, plants wilt, harvests are lower or of poorer quality. Farmers feel the water shortage directly – in crops, in livestock, in water levels in wells. River and reservoir levels decrease, adjacent fields or pastures lose their productivity. This is an economic and environmental dimension at the same time.

In cities, drought is sometimes less obvious, but no less severe. It manifests itself in dry lawns and withering trees, rising temperatures (urban heat island phenomenon), increased dust and deterioration of air quality, and the challenges of maintaining urban greenery. Here, too, dried out soil loses its ability to absorb water during heavy rainfall, and heavy rain causes local flooding, as sewer manholes can’t cope with receiving excess water – runoff from pavements sealed as a result of the drought.

Drought in the city also means more water consumption for watering greenery and overloading of water supply systems. In many cases, this leads to restrictions on its use and even a physical shortage of water at water points.

Regardless of location, drought is a signal that the water cycle in the environment has been disrupted. In both agricultural and urban landscapes, it becomes crucial to retain water where it falls or as close to that point as possible.

Adult education – changing habits

Talking about drought should not be limited to messages about the state of rivers or agricultural losses. Education through scaremongering doesn’t work as well as through pictorial explanations of the phenomenon, suggesting solutions, and inspiring and reinforcing the message that everyone has an impact on resources through daily choices.

Conserving tap water alone is important, but retaining rainwater, reducing surface sealing around one’s property, planting plants that promote retention and taking care of soil quality are equally important.

Awareness translates into decisions about the immediate environment, one’s own property, neighborhoods, areas around schools and workplaces. It is up to each of us to make sure that water is kept where it falls or drains away quickly.

Why is it important to talk about drought with children?

Children observe the world closely. They notice the lack of snow in winter, the drying lawns in summer, the increasing heat and violent weather events. They often ask questions that show they understand more than we adults think.

Education in this area should not instill fear, but develop an understanding of natural processes. Drought is not an abstract concept – it is a phenomenon that will affect their future. The earlier they understand the relationship between precipitation, soil, vegetation and water resources, the easier it will be for them to make responsible decisions in the future.

How to explain the drought phenomenon in a simple way?

Hydrological phenomena are worth explaining through pictorial experiences. Here are some suggestions. I recommend doing any water play outdoors, so that the water used during it feeds the soil.

Sponge and water

You need ordinary sponges and water. Make sure that some of the sponges are slightly damp and some remain dry. See how different sponges accept water given in small portions and what happens when you try to pour a large amount of water at once on both types of sponges. It’s a simple game to show that water takes time to penetrate the substrate.

Dry and moist soil

It’s a good idea to carry out this experiment after a rain-free period. It is enough to pour the same portion of water on the dried and compacted soil (for example, on the so-called ” foredeck“) and on a piece of land with a lawn. After pouring water over them, you can clearly see that water runs off from the dried surface, while it soaks into the lawn. This shows how different types of soil absorb water differently, and how valuable green areas are for storing water.

Small retention garden

It is a good idea to create a layered arrangement in a pot (preferably a transparent, so-called production pot): from the bottom, stones, sand, soil and a plant. As you water, you can see how the water is retained between the soil particles. This is a good starting point for talking about rain gardens and wise water retention in the city.

Such activities not only explain the drought phenomenon, but also build a sense of agency. Each participant (adult and child) of such experiences will better understand that water does not disappear, but moves and is subject to certain laws.

Shared responsibility

Drought is not just about farmers or hydrologists. It is a social and educational challenge. In a world where rain-free periods are interspersed with intense downpours, it becomes crucial to understand the water cycle and the role of temporary water retention in the environment.

The conversation about drought should take place at home, at school and in public spaces. Building awareness is not a one-time campaign, but a long-term process. It is an investment in the future, in a generation that will face increasing climate variability. Education about water is not a topic for someday. It is a topic for today.

Anna Michalowska – hydrologist, environmental engineering specialist, water technologist and author of the book Talk to Me About Water and the blog You Are Water. For the past five years she has been popularizing knowledge about water resources, water footprint and green retention. She conducts workshops about water for children and whole families. She is the author of numerous lesson plans and publications on retention, green-blue infrastructure solutions and water-legal considerations in this area. In her professional work for 18 years, she combines science with practice and demonstrates how everyday actions can have a real impact on water resources.