“Soylent Green: The cry of a

Dying Earth”

Rebeca Paulette Jarquin David

Monday June 10, 2024
Citlalli College
6th semester

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 Index

Introduction
1. Summary
2. Body
2.1 Importance of natural resources
2.2 Impact of water scarcity in Mexico
2.3 Case study: Naucalpan de Juárez
2.4 Measures to prevent water scarcity in Mexico
2.5 Water crises and measures taken in cities around the world
Conclusion
References

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 Introduction

The movie "Soylent Green" projected a dystopian future in 2022 with scarcity of
resources like food and water, reflecting a bleak and overpopulated world. Detective
Thorn discovers that the company "Soylent Green" produces food from human
corpses, thus alerting about the future of humanity. The essay highlights the critical
importance of natural resources, especially water, for life and ecological balance,
advocating for responsible management. It argues how water scarcity affects
Mexico, particularly Naucalpan de Juárez, with serious consequences for health,
economy, and social tensions, emphasizing the need for urgent measures to ensure
sustainable access to water. It argues that sustainable water management and
responsible agricultural practices are key to preventing water scarcity in Mexico. UN
projections indicate that global demand for drinking water will exceed supply by 40%
by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water resource management
worldwide. On the other hand, it argues that some cities have implemented various
measures to address water crises, but broader action is required, including
investment in water infrastructure and promotion of sustainable practices to ensure
a viable future for all.

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 Summary

"Soylent Green" is an American science fiction film from the 1970s set in New York.
It presents a prediction of what was believed to happen in the world by the year
2022, reflecting a bleak, overpopulated, and hopeless world caused by the scarcity
of natural resources such as food and water, which prevented the satisfaction of
human needs, worsening people's desperation. The main character, Detective
Thorn, investigates the murder of a man who had many economic privileges unlike
the majority of inhabitants. During his investigation, Thorn discovers the secret
behind the company known as "Soylent Green," which produced a type of green
biscuit or wafer made from plankton, offering it to the people as a solution to food
scarcity. In the end, Thorn discovers that "Soylent Green" was made from human
corpses, and he alerts the people about the future of humanity.

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 Body

Natural resources are essential for life and human development. They provide basic
elements such as water and food, drive economies, maintain ecological balance,
have cultural value such as tourism, art, and identity, and are key to technological
innovation. They also support life in all its forms, so responsible management is
crucial for a sustainable future. According to Concepto, "The care of natural
resources is important, not only because they are the basis of modern productive
societies, but because they are an essential part of nature and allow the existence
of living beings on planet Earth" (Editorial team, Etecé, 2021).

Water, for example, is essential for all biological processes, from photosynthesis in
plants to temperature regulation in animals. It also meets humans' basic needs.
According to Thonas Seguros, "Water is synonymous with life. Without it, there
would be no people, animals, plants. Earth would be a huge desert. A person can
survive up to a month without eating, but only a couple of days without drinking the
vital liquid" (Thonas Seguros, 2020), reflecting that if water were to run out in the
world, humanity would face a major crisis. Cities would be uninhabitable, crops
would die, animals and plants would disappear rapidly. Without drinking water,
people's health would deteriorate, leading to diseases such as constipation, fatigue,
and malnutrition, resulting in death. Economies would collapse due to lack of
fundamental resources, and international conflicts over control of the few remaining
water sources would increase. The lack of water would make the planet a hostile
place, endangering the survival of humanity and all living beings that depend on this
resource.

Water scarcity is a problem that will be even more unfavorable in the future; by 2050,
demand for water is expected to increase and exceed the available quantity.
According to Aquae Fundación, "In 30 years, we will be around 7.594 billion people,
so water stress will be greater. This implies that water demand will grow by 55%,
especially in the industry sector, but also in electricity production and domestic use"

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(Aquae Foundation, 2021). This will cause serious problems, such as millions of
people not having access to enough drinking water or basic sanitation services.
Agriculture, which uses the majority of freshwater, will also be affected, leading to
reduced food production and extreme famine conditions for the population, in
addition to significant price increases; therefore, water scarcity, along with climate
change and more people living on the planet, could cause conflicts and forced
migration, even resulting in wars.

An illustrative case is Mexico, which faces significant challenges regarding water

scarcity. Despite having a considerable amount of water resources, the distribution
and availability of water in the country are unequal and threatened by various factors.
Overexploitation of aquifers, water pollution, deforestation, and climate change are
some of the problems contributing to water scarcity in different regions of Mexico;
according to the Ibero-American University of Mexico, "We have reached the
moment when cities, the epicenter of human dynamism, face a challenge that
threatens their very essence: water scarcity. In the coming years, this problem will
acquire an even greater relevance, as it will affect urban life in ways we cannot yet
comprehend" (IBERO, 2024). If Mexico were to run out of water, it would face a
health crisis with increased diseases, a drop in food production, significant economic
losses, and the shutdown of sectors such as agriculture and industry. Ecosystems
would suffer greatly, affecting biodiversity, and social and political conflicts would
arise from competition for water.

In fact, in Naucalpan de Juárez, as mentioned by the director of territorial planning

and urban development, José Ramón Jarquín Rodríguez, water scarcity is a serious
and recurring problem, caused by rapid urban growth and irresponsible
management and consumption. It is estimated that an average resident of this
municipality consumes at least 280 liters per day, and around 40% of water is lost
due to leaks and clandestine connections. In addition, the high demand exceeds the
capacity of supply systems, producing a condition of water stress in the entire Valley
of Mexico for a long time, as the drinking water infrastructure is old and deficient,
with frequent leaks and losses that reduce supply efficiency. Overexploitation of

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aquifers has decreased groundwater levels, while contamination from industrial and
domestic waste limits the amount of usable water. Lack of investment in
infrastructure and the absence of long-term planning worsen the situation, as a
result, many neighborhoods experience frequent supply interruptions, forcing
residents to buy water from trucks at a price of $1,180.30 pesos, increasing costs.
Water scarcity also negatively impacts public health, increasing the risk of diseases
related to contaminated water, and generates social tensions such as displacement
of communities, increased diseases, and even impacts on the economy due to
competition for the resource. The situation in Naucalpan de Juárez requires urgent
attention and comprehensive solutions to ensure sustainable access to water for all
its inhabitants, as well as a real estate ban for the moment.

As it happens in this municipality, it occurs throughout Mexico. According to

TecnoTanques, "Water conservation is a key strategy to prevent drought in Mexico.
This includes measures such as rainwater harvesting, reuse of treated wastewater,
and modernization of irrigation systems to reduce water waste" (Tecnotanques,
2023). Therefore, to prevent water scarcity in Mexico, it is crucial to implement
sustainable water management, promoting responsible use and reuse or recycling
of the resource.

According to projections by experts backed by the United Nations (UN), "global

demand for drinking water will exceed supply by 40% by the year 2030, thanks to a
combination of factors such as climate change, human action, and population
growth" (BBC News Mundo, 2018). Today, several cities around the world have
faced serious water crises in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for
sustainable water resource management. Cape Town, South Africa, almost reached
"Day Zero" in 2018; Chennai, India, saw its reservoirs almost empty in 2019; and
São Paulo, Brazil, suffered a severe drought between 2014 and 2015. Los Angeles
in the United States has faced multiple droughts, while Mexico City struggles with
chronic problems of overexploitation and contamination. Lima, Peru, depends on
distant water sources, and Bangkok in Thailand faces intrusion of saltwater into its
aquifers.

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In response to water crises, affected cities have implemented various measures.
Cape Town, South Africa, imposed water restrictions, increased fees for excessive
use, and launched awareness campaigns. Chennai, India, built wells, reservoirs, and
desalination plants, as well as promoted the reuse of treated wastewater. São Paulo,
Brazil, adopted conservation programs, awareness, and reduction of losses in the
distribution network. Los Angeles, United States, implemented water restrictions,
conservation programs, and technologies to reduce consumption. In Mexico City,
Mexico, they focused on reforestation, wastewater treatment, and improvement of
the distribution infrastructure. Lima, Peru, diversified water sources, optimized their
use, and promoted reforestation. Bangkok, Thailand, implemented programs to
reduce pollution and control the extraction of groundwater and the intrusion of
saltwater.

To prevent this problem from worsening, investment in water infrastructure for

efficient storage and distribution, as well as rainwater harvesting systems worldwide,
is necessary; on the other hand, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and
education about the importance of water are fundamental. Additionally, an integrated
approach to water resource management should be adopted, promoting cooperation
among different actors and levels of government, as government can significantly
impact water scarcity through regulation and resource management. Through
policies that encourage efficient water use in agriculture, protection of water sources,
and investment in infrastructure, scarcity can be mitigated. Likewise, by promoting
awareness of the importance of water and the adoption of sustainable practices, the
government can contribute to better management and conservation of the resource.

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 Conclusion

This essay provides a detailed and concerning view on water scarcity around the
world, highlighting the critical importance of natural resources, especially water, for
human life and ecological balance. The movie "Soylent Green" serves as a warning
to raise awareness about the possible consequences of overexploitation and lack of
care for our resources. In my opinion, sustainable water management and
conservation of natural resources are fundamental responsibilities for everyone. It is
essential for authorities, businesses, and individuals to adopt responsible and
efficient practices to preserve water and ensure its equitable access for future
generations. Furthermore, education and awareness about the importance of water
are key to promoting significant changes in how we use this vital resource. In this
regard, specific and urgent measures are needed to prevent a global water crisis
and ensure a sustainable future for all.

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 References

1. Equipo editorial, Etecé. (2021, August 5). Natural Resources - Concept,

types, conservation, and examples. Concept. https://concepto.de/que-son-y-
cuales-son-los-recursos-naturales/#ixzz8cgO9Tel6

2. Ramírez, A. (2020, March 3). What would we be without water? Thona

Seguros; Thona Life and Accident Insurance. https://thonaseguros.mx/que-
seria-de-nosotros-sin-el-agua/

3. Fundación Aquae. (2021, June 16). Water in 2050: future scarcity -

Fundación Aquae. https://www.fundacionaquae.org/el-agua-en-
2050/amp/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvcjSbCoiF
hV26BKiVTv6SeWEn6iSE39lbMtuySGy6aDNnKNLzv2WshoCdlsQAvD_Bw
E

4. Opinion: The challenges Mexico faces in the water scarcity crisis. (n.d.).
Ibero.mx. Retrieved June 9, 2024, from https://ibero.mx/prensa/opinion-los-
desafios-de-mexico-frente-la-crisis-por-escasez-de-agua

5. Tecnotanques. (2023, December 11). How to prevent drought in Mexico

2023? Tecnotanques. Tanks and Cisterns. https://tecnotanques.com/como-
prevenir-la-sequia-2023-en-
mexico/#:~:text=La%20conservaci%C3%B3n%20del%20agua%20es,reduci
r%20el%20desperdicio%20de%20agua.

6. BBC News Mundo. (2018, February 7). 11 of the world's major cities most
likely to run out of drinking water like Cape Town.
https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-42975307

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