Catching Fog to Combat Peru's Water Shortage
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Provided by: The Kid Should See This|Published on: May 22, 2026
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This short video and accompanying article describe how Abel Cruz Gutiérrez uses simple nylon nets in Lima, Peru, to catch coastal fog to provide water for low-income neighborhoods.
- The video explores how the collected water, while not yet drinkable, represents an innovative nature-based solution to water scarcity in Lima, one of the world's largest desert cities.
- This video is in Spanish with English subtitles.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: Great Big Story
Region: South and Central America
Languages: English, Spanish
Teaching Materials
Prerequisites:
- Ensure students are familiar with the water cycle and the concept of water scarcity.
Misconceptions:
- Clarify for students that these catchers do not turn fog into water or extract water from fog, as fog is made up of water. They are providing a spot for fog, small water droplets in the form of a cloud, to be concentrated and collected in a more usable form.
Classroom Implementation:
- Use this resource as a hook for a design challenge project where students are looking for solutions to climate issues.
- Have students demonstrate their understanding by explaining the innovation, its importance, and the next steps.
Differentiation:
- To support students who struggle with reading automaticity, consider slowing the video's playback speed, allowing more time to read the subtitles.
Climate Change Connections:
- Explain that a warmer climate can hold more water in the air, making less of it available in water stores. Consider pairing the video with this lesson plan.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
- Geography:
- Discuss the climate of Lima and the factors that make fog-catching viable there.
Sustainable Development Goals Connections:
- Use this resource as an example of a solution contributing to achieving SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation.
This video describes the concept of a fog catcher and shows how they are used in some Peruvian communities. While water scarcity is not specifically mentioned, these fog catchers are an example of a solution to address the problem. It is important to note that these catchers do not turn fog into water or extract water from fog, as fog is made up of water. They are providing a spot for fog, small water droplets in the form of a cloud, to be concentrated and collected in a more usable form. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
The Kid Should See This
The Kid Should See This is a Webby award-winning collection of over 7,000 kid-friendly videos, curated for teachers and parents who want to share smarter, more meaningful media in the classroom and at home. Selections are grown-up-friendly, too. And thanks to TKSST members, it’s free and ad-free for everyone. Start conversations, spark questions, and inspire offline exploration for all ages.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
