A Guide for Hosting a “Let’s Talk about Water” Event
Last Call at the Oasis
Directed by Jessica Yu (USA 2011)
105 min, Color, in English
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HOSTING GUIDE
This hosting guide is intended to help support the development of a Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) film
and discussion symposium that screens the film Last Call at the Oasis, a feature documentary that
examines global water supply; the way water is consumed, managed, and polluted. Support materials
found in this guide are intended to help guide a host in leading and facilitating a collaborative group
discussion between a panel of experts and the target audience. The motivation for the LTAW program is
to engender critical thinking skills about complex water issues through the power of film. We have found
that by keeping the language straight-forward and the atmosphere lively, that great conversation
follows.
OBJECTIVES OF “TALK” EVENTS




Support active learning by attendees
Engendering critical thinking skills to evaluate alternative viewpoints
Development of water science concepts
Demonstration of the importance and implications of water science and society
Last Call at the Oasis Hosting Guide
Published by CUAHSI 9/2013
GENERAL STRUCTURE OF “TALK” EVENTS



A viewing of a film, documentary or dramatic, that tells a water-related story from a particular
viewpoint with an explicit or implicit agenda
Followed by audience discussion with expert panel representing a range of scientific disciplines
and policy viewpoints
With active moderation to keep panel on point, to simplify language, and to help structure
discussion
ABOUT THE FILM
IMDb link
“We are facing a water crisis now of epic proportions” – Jay Famiglietti
Filmmaker Jessica Yu examines the looming global water crisis and what can be done to avoid
it in this documentary. While water is arguably the world's most important natural resource,
shockingly little is being done to protect the global water supply, and a number of leading
scientists have produced evidence suggesting the amount of potable water is diminishing at an
appalling rate (parts of the western United States and Australia are already becoming mired in
drought). Issues such as irresponsible management permit massive amounts of water to go to
waste, and lax regulation of corporations has led to pollution that causes unexpected
problems (for example, one widely used herbicide present in many water supplies is causing
frogs to change sex). Featuring a combination of expert interviews (including Erin Brockovich,
who talks at length about the real-life Hinkley, CA, pollution case that was adapted into the
popular film that bears her name), comedy sketches (some featuring Jack Black) and cleverly
edited montages, Last Call at the Oasis also examines what can be done to help save our
freshwater supplies before it's too late. The film received its world premiere at the 2011
Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Film summary source: FANDANGO
Movie data provided by
KEY WORDS
Atrazine
Bottled water
CAFO
Climate change
Desalination
Drought
EPA
GRACE satellite
Groundwater
Industrial pollutants/chemicals
International water cooperation
Peak water
Pharmaceuticals
Population growth
Recycled water
Water crisis
Water conflicts
Water depletion
“Water footprint”
Water infrastructure
Water supply
Water and religion
CUAHSI EXPERIENCE SCREENING LAST CALL AT THE OASIS
To guide the audience throughout the LTAW program, we suggest the following structure of
discussion.
1. Introduce the audience to…
2. Show Last Call at the Oasis to expose the audience to the complex issues surrounding global
water supply, use, management, and pollution
3. Identify conflicting viewpoints in the film. Challenge the students/audience to find possible risk
points.
a. What are your drinking water sources? Surface water or groundwater?
i. Geological formations that form aquifers
b. Groundwater contamination
Some suggested talking points might include:
i. Improper disposal of industrial waste, which contain chemicals that are harmful
to human, animal, and ecosystem health
c. Is the regulatory system adequate to provide a reasonable degree of protection against
preventable pathways of contamination?
i. Should we rely on the regulating agencies to ensure public health and safety?
TOPICS
-
-
Sustainable development: population growth versus water supply (Las Vegas, NV)
“water footprint”: US is largest consumer of water (food, clothing, energy, personal)
Pharmaceuticals and herbicides in water (Atrazine) and growth development
o Europe’s “Precautionary Principle”: if there’s any data that suggests something is
harmful, the manufacturer has to prove that the product is safe or it’s off the market.
Guilty until proven innocent, whereas in the US the philosophy is innocent until proven
guilty.
Industrial and chemical pollution (PG&E; Hinkley, CA)
CAFO’s (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) (Minnesota)
“Water wars” versus “water cooperation” (Friends of the Middle East)
United States, Australia (drought), Singapore (recycled water), Middle East (water wars/or not)
CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS
-
Competing water use: urban development, drinking, agriculture, species protection
Conservation efficiency versus water management practices
Industrial chemicals versus health (human and animal)
Rate of water use (pumping) versus groundwater recharge (drinking water)
WATER CONCEPTS
- Hydrologic cycle
o Groundwater aquifers; groundwater recharge
o The idea that the same amount of water is on the Earth as when the dinosaurs lived;
however, now the rate in which water is being consumed is increasing faster than the
rate that it is being replenished
-
o Surface water and groundwater interactions (Midland, TX)
Water conservation
o Water efficiency (home use, lawn)
Ecosystem impacts with changes in water supply
What does climate change mean?
o More severe weather events occurring more frequently
Endocrine disruptors (Atrazine) (ppb, ppm)
Scientific ethics and social responsibility
Bottled water regulations
Desalination and energy use
Industrial ethics/waste management (eg, PG&E)
Water management
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
-
Become a citizen scientist in your community. Many watershed associations coordinate citizen
science programs
Writing to your local Congressman about water issues affecting your community
Take action on your campus or in your home through campaigning for improved water
conservation efforts
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES



Circle of Blue: 10 Things You Should Know About Water infographic
Learn about NASA’s GRACE mission to see groundwater changes from space [web link]
Learn more about EPA
o Monitoring of hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) [web link]
o Basic information about chromium-6 in drinking water [web link]
o EPA’s current review status of chromium-t (as of 8/15/2013) [web link]
o Atrazine updates (as of 1/2013) [web link]
o The Pacific Institute [web link]
SUGGESTED PANEL COMPOSITION AND/OR EXPERTISE
CUAHSI has developed a Film Event and Panelist Archive document that lists invited panelists for past
LTAW events to help guide you in developing your program’s panel of expertise.
Experts
- Jay Famiglietti, University of California, Irvine
- Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute
Suggested Disciplines on Panel
- Biologist
- Chemist
- Hydrologist
- Environmentalist/Activist
- Political Science/Law Professional
- Local drinking water municipality
SURVEYING WATER CONCEPTS: BEFORE AND AFTER
Q.
A.
How much freshwater on Earth is available for drinking?
Less than 1%
Q. In the United States, what activity is the largest consumer of water?
A. Agricultural use accounts for 80% of overall water use
Q.
A.
Is bottled water more regulated (i.e., “cleaner”) than tap water?
Bottled water is less regulated than tap water