Switched On Liquid Demand: Tech Solutions for Water Stress
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Mar 20, 2025 Stephanie Diaz, a BNEF technology analyst specializing in water management, joins Dana Perkins to tackle the urgent issue of global water stress. They explore how rising demand from industries and agriculture impacts water supply, discussing solutions like innovative desalination techniques and strategies for leak reduction. The conversation dives into the health risks posed by PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', and the importance of advanced water purification technologies. Together, they envision a future where tech plays a pivotal role in sustainable water management.
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Water Stress Definition
- Water stress occurs when demand exceeds supply, impacting 1.5 to 2.5 billion people.
- This number could rise to 3 billion by 2050 under a 2-degree Celsius warming scenario.
Global Water Usage
- Humans use about 4 trillion cubic meters of water annually, mostly from rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff.
- About 75% goes to agriculture, while the rest supports industrial and municipal needs.
Water Stress Impacts
- Fondamante grows alfalfa in Arizona due to Saudi Arabian water scarcity, highlighting implicit water trade.
- EDF reduced nuclear plant output in 2022 due to warm river water from heat waves.