TED Talks Daily We need to track the world's water like we track the weather | Sonaar Luthra
Oct 6, 2020
Sonaar Luthra, an entrepreneur and TED Fellow dedicated to environmental accountability, advocates for a global water monitoring system. He discusses the urgent need for innovative data collection methods to forecast water shortages, similar to weather tracking. Luthra highlights the dangers of PFAS chemicals and stresses the importance of transparency in water management. He champions investment in infrastructure and innovative solutions to ensure future water security, calling for a comprehensive approach to manage this vital resource effectively.
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Chennai Water Crisis
- Chennai, India faced severe floods in 2015, the worst in a century.
- Today, its reservoirs are nearly dry due to three years of sub-average rainfall.
Limitations of Current Water Data
- Current water data isn't helpful for forecasting emerging risks; it primarily tells us to conserve and pollute less.
- We need new data collection strategies to address accelerating changes in the water cycle.
PFAS Contamination and DoD Accountability
- The US Department of Defense, the world's largest jet fuel consumer, uses firefighting foam containing PFAS.
- PFAS, linked to cancer and birth defects, contaminates water systems, yet the DoD isn't held accountable.