Will technology – from desalination to wind milking (atmospheric water generators), from artificial intelligence to nano-filtration, and whatever else there is and will be – overcome the water crisis?
Spoiler: No.
Why?
While some technologies may be part of the solution, others are not even that. The problem lies not with the technology itself, but with how it is used. Who decides what is researched, produced and applied? And how it is used?
The water crisis — droughts, floods and pollution — is primarily a social and political issue. It is the result of our way of life, our production system, our attitude of using nature as a seemingly abundant resource, and disposing of “waste” in the same nature that forms the basis of our lives: PFAS, microplastics, nanoplastics, antibiotics and fertilisers: everything we produce and use finds its way into nature and into water. Forever chemicals just stay there a bit longer …
Technologies may help to manage some of these problems. But not more than that. Some companies and individuals earn vast sums of money by developing these technologies and managing these problems. However, they don’t solve the problems, nor do they make much effort to do so, because the problem is their cash cow.
Technologies may help solve the problems only if there is political will to do so. Only then will they be used for the benefit of us all, for the benefit of nature and for the benefit of our source of life. These technologies will only become efficient when we stop producing environmental poison and polluting the planet. As long as pollution and destruction are growing faster then our investment in preserving and protecting life and water, driven by greed and neglect, these technologies are nothing more than greenwashing and bluewashing the causes of the crisis.
Believing in technology seems like an easy way to escape the crisis, but it won’t disappear just because you don’t acknowledge it. On the contrary. The longer you believe that technology will solve it, the more the crisis will accelerate. Only when humankind holds the rich and ruling accountable can we establish a system that prioritises people over profits and solving the crisis over making money from managing and milking it.
And your opinion? I’m looking forward to comments. Write me by email.
Comments / feedback on different channels:
Fabio Lauria: While technology presents powerful tools, it’s crucial to combine innovation with sustainable practices for real solutions. It’s a two-part equation where accountability plays a key role. (on X)
