Peace Corps

Harvesting Water from Fog

Cape Verde

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Overview

The Republic of Cape Verde is an island nation located about 300 miles off the western coast of Africa. Cape Verde, where the people speak Portuguese and Creole, has a long and rich history. While the people of Cape Verde enjoy warm temperatures and a beautiful setting, they must also deal with some challenges related to their climate and location. The main challenge is the lack of rainfall and limited fresh water. Students will become familiar with the technology and benefit of collecting water from fog.

Background Information

Cape Verde as a whole is surrounded by water; however, finding enough water to drink and use within their homes continues to be a challenge for the people of Cape Verde. There is very limited fresh water on the islands, however the idea of collecting water from the rolling fog that sweeps over the islands has proven to be not only innovative, but also very successful. The site of Monte Gordo Natural Park is located in the western mountains of São Nicolau. The high elevation, exposure to prevailing winds, and abundance of fog at Monte Gordo Natural Park make it an ideal location for harvesting water from fog. Nathan Lee and his team will introduce students to their project through videos and photos.

Materials:

Objectives

Students will:

  • Become familiar with the concept of water being harvested from fog
  • Explore the Peace Corps project site by watching Nathan Lee's video
  • Discuss possible solutions to the lack of fresh water

Vocabulary
  • Cape Verde: The Republic of Cape Verde is an island nation located about 300 miles off the western coast of Africa.
  • Africa: One of the largest continents on Earth. It has 53 countries and is known for many things including large deserts and many animals.
  • Fog nets: An apparatus made up of fine mesh for collecting liquid water from fog.
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Featured Reading(s)

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Procedures

  1. Introduce the topic of harvesting water from fog by discussing the physical characteristics of fog and low cloud cover.
  2. Create a discussion around the benefits of collecting water from fog – including:
    • System requires no energy input to operate • Multiple uses for water; including drinking, irrigation, and reforestation
    • Reduces the burden of carrying water from distant sources
    • Ideal for many locations where fog is abundant while rain is not
    • System is easy to construct, and expandable as needed
    • Atmospheric fog water is clean and abundant
  3. Have your students watch the video of Nathan Lee and the Peace Corps project at Monte Gordo Natural Park in Cape Verde.
  4. Have your students create one of the simple fog or dew collectors
    Instructions

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Extensions

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Framework and Standards

Enduring Understandings
  • We all need fresh water to survive.
  • Fresh water can be collected from some unusual places.
Essential Questions
  • Where do we find fresh water?
  • What can those living in Cape Verde do to increase the amount of fresh water?
Standards

  • Social Studies
    • Thematic Strand 1 – Culture
    • Thematic Strand 3 - People, places, and environments
    • Thematic Strand 7 - Production, distribution, and consumption
  • Science Standards
    • Standard 5 - Earth and space science
    • Standard 7 - Science in personal and social perspectives
  • Geography Standards
    • Essential Element I. The world in spatial terms
    • Essential Element II. Places and regions
    • Essential Element IV. Human systems
    • Essential Element V. Environment and society
    • Essential Element VI. The uses of geography

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