#water-scarcity — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #water-scarcity, aggregated by home.social.
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AI data center project secretly sucked 29 million gallons of water over 15 months before detected by residents complaining about low water pressure — officials refuse to fine builders of massive 6.2 million-square-foot facility over unauthorized water use | Tom's Hardware
#environment #datacenters #waterscarcity #freshwater #TechWillKillUs #usa #extinctionrebellion
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/georgia-data-center-used-29-million-gallons-of-water
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Water Is Quietly Becoming One of the Biggest Risks in Energy
A decade ago, China was widely expected to become a shale powerhouse. By some estimates, it holds more…
#NewsBeep #News #Environment #CA #Canada #Chinashalegas #DataCenters #energyinvesting #energytransition #hydraulicfracturing #hydrogenproduction #nuclearpower #PermianBasin #Science #shaledevelopment #waterscarcity
https://www.newsbeep.com/ca/655193/ -
Water Is Quietly Becoming One of the Biggest Risks in Energy
A decade ago, China was widely expected to become a shale powerhouse. By some estimates, it holds more…
#NewsBeep #News #Environment #Chinashalegas #datacenters #energyinvesting #energytransition #environment #hydraulicfracturing #hydrogenproduction #nuclearpower #PermianBasin #Science #shaledevelopment #UK #UnitedKingdom #WaterScarcity
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/572290/ -
Rio Tinto's water extraction is drying up a sacred waterhole for the Robe River Kuruma people. The company is building a new desalination plant to help.
#RobeRiver #RioTinto #WaterScarcity #IndigenousRights #Pilbara
https://newsletter.tf/rio-tinto-water-use-dries-sacred-robe-river-waterhole/ -
From Refugee Roots to “Water from Air”: The Real Story Behind Omar Yaghi’s MOF Breakthrough
Experimental MOF devices aim to turn dry air into drinking water (illustration)Dear Cherubs, sometimes reality reads like a motivational poster that got a PhD. Omar Yaghi’s journey—from a childhood in modest conditions in Amman to reshaping how we think about water—comes close, minus the stock photo sunset.
Born in Jordan and later building his academic career in the United States, Yaghi is widely recognized for pioneering metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs—materials so porous they make your kitchen sponge look emotionally unavailable. According to the American Chemical Society, MOFs are crystalline structures designed at the molecular level to trap gases and liquids, including water vapor from the air.
THE SCIENCE THAT SOUNDS LIKE MAGIC
Here’s the pitch: pull clean drinking water straight out of desert air. No pipes, no grid, just chemistry doing its quiet flex.Yaghi’s team demonstrated MOF-based devices that can capture water even in low humidity environments—think below 20 percent, where most of us would simply accept dehydration as a lifestyle. According to research published in Science and reported by MIT News, early prototypes were able to produce usable amounts of water using sunlight as the only energy source.
Now, about those headline-grabbing claims—machines generating up to 1,000 liters per day. That figure is often reported in popular summaries, but it’s not representative of current household-scale MOF devices. Most experimental systems produce far smaller quantities, though the technology is evolving. In other words: promising, not quite “infinite desert tap” just yet.
Still, the concept holds serious weight. The World Health Organization notes that billions of people lack reliable access to safe drinking water. A decentralized solution—something that works off-grid—could shift the conversation from infrastructure to independence.
FROM SCARCITY TO SCALABILITY
Yaghi has framed his work around “water independence,” a phrase that sounds like a startup pitch but lands closer to a humanitarian goal. Imagine homes generating their own water the way solar panels generate electricity. That’s not sci-fi anymore; it’s early-stage engineering with real-world implications.And yes, there’s a poetic symmetry here. A child who once waited for water deliveries every two weeks now builds systems designed to eliminate that wait entirely. It’s giving full-circle energy, minus the cliché.
As for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2025—there is currently no verified record confirming that Yaghi has received it. He has, however, been widely considered a strong candidate for years, with multiple high-profile awards already under his belt. So while the Nobel claim is, at best, premature, the impact of his work is not.
If you’re into stories where science meets survival—and occasionally humbles global infrastructure—this is one to watch. As noted by thisclaimer.com, some of the most transformative ideas tend to emerge from constraint, not comfort. Turns out, scarcity can be a pretty effective research assistant.
And if MOFs keep scaling the way researchers hope, the future might involve fewer pipelines and more… well, invisible ones. Air, but make it drinkable.
Sources list
Experimental MOF devices aim to turn dry air into drinking water (illustration) #art #books #chemistryBreakthroughs #cleanWater #desertWater #environment #futureTech #mofTechnology #omarYaghi #renewableSolutions #scienceInnovation #sustainability #travel #waterScarcity
American Chemical Society — https://www.acs.org
MIT News — https://news.mit.edu
Science Journal — https://www.science.org
World Health Organization — https://www.who.int
thisclaimer.com — https://thisclaimer.com -
This Is the First American City That Will Run Out of Water
https://youtube.com/watch?v=2QAARB4bNTE&si=kmCuSg38jSVe1i5x -
#FYI #USA #AmericanResiliency #resilience #TimesOfChange #waterSecurity #waterScarcity #drought #conflict #community #SystemCollapse
Dr. #EmilySchoerning on the #US and #global #water situation and outlook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsAiBLDSVVk
#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #globalHeating #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis
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Since with or without #datacenters we are unwilling to stop #fossilburning all together, I give it 5-10 years - and I'm being hugely optimistic here - when all this global-data-crunching-internet-monstrosity will implode and take down our whole system with it, simply because the #extremeweather #disasters will deplete financial resources, and #waterscarcity and #famine - especially in the northern part of the globe - will break loose all hell on earth.
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Если смотреть с юридической и управленческой стороны, испарение воды часто связано не с техникой, а с правилами пользования водой и ресурсами.
1. Права на воду (water rights)
Во многих странах Африки действуют системы лицензий:
государство владеет водными ресурсами;
компания или община получает разрешение на забор определённого объёма.
Иногда дешевле испарить лишнюю воду, чем:
хранить её,
перераспределять,
нарушить лимит использования.
Это встречается в сельском хозяйстве и добывающих проектах.
2. Требования к сбросу воды
Законы по охране окружающей среды могут запрещать сбрасывать:
солёную,
химически загрязнённую,
шахтную воду.
Поэтому её помещают в испарительные пруды (evaporation ponds) — вода уходит, а загрязнение остаётся под контролем.
Это распространено в:
горнодобывающей промышленности,
нефтегазе,
переработке минералов.
3. Трансграничные водные соглашения
Многие реки проходят через несколько стран (например, бассейн Нил).
Иногда государства ограничены договорами по объёму воды, который можно удерживать или перенаправлять. В таких условиях локальные проекты используют испарительные бассейны вместо изменения русел или хранения.4. Бюрократия и инфраструктура
В ряде регионов:
нет очистных сооружений,
нет канализации,
нет систем повторного использования воды.
С точки зрения регуляторов испарительный пруд — самый простой способ соблюсти формальные нормы.
5. Горнодобыча и литий/уран
В проектах добычи минералов (рассолы, урановые хвостохранилища) регуляторы прямо требуют испарительных систем для изоляции растворов.
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Коротко: часто воду «испаряют» не из-за нехватки технологий, а потому что так проще выполнить закон, лицензии и экологические требования.
Если хочешь, могу разобрать конкретные страны — там правила сильно отличаются (например, в Намибия, ЮАР и Кения).
#Африка #ВодныеРесурсы #ВодноеПраво #Экология #ИспарительныеПруды #WaterManagement #WaterRights #Mining #SaltProduction #Desalination #Climate #WaterScarcity #EnvironmentalRegulation #Hydrology #ResourceManagement 💧🌍
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Water, Water Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink? An Essay in Hydro-Politics
https://onceinabluemoon2021.in/2026/01/29/water-water-everywhere-nor-any-drop-to-drink-an-essay-in-hydro-politics/
#WaterScarcity, #HydroPolitics, #WaterWars, #GreenCapitalism, #Greenwashing, #PharmakonLogic, #AmbaniColaCapitalism, #PiramalSarvajal, #AntiGreenDevelopment, #EcoSolidarity, #Ajay_Piramal_Environmental_Extortionist, #Isha_Ambani_Campacol, #Piramal_Sarvajal, -
Era of ‘global water bankruptcy’ is here, UN report says
https://piefed.social/c/degrowth/p/1686010/era-of-global-water-bankruptcy-is-here-un-report-says
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Bhaderwah’s centuries-old water-powered gharats are falling silent as water levels in the Neeru River drop sharply. Climate change and erratic snowfall now threaten livelihoods, daily life, and a living symbol of the region’s heritage. https://english.mathrubhumi.com/multimedia/videos/dry-winter-bhaderwahs-gharats-xego6own?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Bhaderwah #Gharats #WaterScarcity #ClimateChange #JammuAndKashmir
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Located on the coast of Sulawesi Island’s largest city, Makassar, Tallo ward endures high water stress and contamination of local sources with heavy metals and other pollutants.
In response to these challenges, a grassroots women-led organization has entered direct talks with local political leaders and the municipal water company in a bid to improve access to water for consumption and sanitation.
by Sri Wahyuni
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/11/makassar-women-press-for-water-as-taps-and-wells-run-dry-in-sweltering-indonesian-city/ -
#NativeAmerican Tribal #ClimateAdaptation: #Indigenous Solutions to Environmental Change
Posted on September 24, 2025
#IndigenousResilience: Native American Tribes Pioneer Climate Adaptation with Ancestral Wisdom
"In the global discourse on climate change, the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples often remain on the periphery, despite their disproportionate vulnerability and their profound, millennia-old understanding of environmental stewardship. Native American tribes across the United States are not merely passive victims of a warming planet; they are at the forefront of climate adaptation, leveraging #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge (#TEK) to devise innovative and culturally resonant solutions to environmental change. Their strategies offer a compelling blueprint for resilience, emphasizing holistic relationships with the land, water, and all living beings.
Indigenous communities, though comprising less than 5% of the world’s population, protect an estimated 80% of global #biodiversity. This staggering statistic underscores their intimate connection to and unparalleled knowledge of the #NaturalWorld."However, this deep reliance on specific ecosystems also makes them acutely susceptible to climate impacts. Rising sea levels threaten coastal tribes, increased wildfires devastate forest-dwelling nations, prolonged droughts imperil agricultural practices in the Southwest, and melting permafrost destabilizes infrastructure in Alaska. For these communities, #ClimateChange is not a distant threat but an immediate, existential crisis eroding their lands, cultures, and ways of life.
"The historical context of colonization, forced displacement, and resource exploitation has exacerbated these vulnerabilities. Stripped of ancestral lands, denied self-governance, and subjected to policies that disrupted traditional land management practices, many tribes now face climate challenges with limited resources and fractured ecosystems. Yet, it is within this crucible of adversity that their resilience shines brightest."
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/0rByG#SolarPunkSunday #FoodSovereignty #LandManagement #Landback #Droughts #SeaLevelRise #ClimateChallenges #Adaptation #WaterScarcity #IndigenousKnowledge #AncientPractices #ModernTechnology #IndigenousPeoplesMonth
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#SEZs in #India: Balancing Economic Growth and #Environmental Concerns
July 27, 2024
"Picture this: vast stretches of industrial land buzzing with activity, modern factories producing goods for global markets, and thousands of job opportunities emerging overnight. This is the promise of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India. But behind this gleaming facade lies a complex web of environmental challenges and social concerns that demand our attention. SEZs represent one of India’s most ambitious economic policies, designed to accelerate industrial growth and boost exports, yet they often come at a significant cost to the environment and local communities.
[...]
"[T]he rapid expansion of SEZs has raised significant environmental red flags. The most pressing concern is land acquisition, which often involves converting fertile agricultural land into industrial zones. This conversion not only reduces the country’s agricultural capacity but also disrupts local ecosystems and biodiversity.
"The establishment of SEZs typically requires large tracts of land – sometimes spanning thousands of acres. Much of this land is acquired from agricultural areas, leading to the displacement of farming communities who have depended on these lands for generations. For instance, the proposed #RaigadSEZ in #Maharashtra would have required over 14,000 hectares of #agricultural land, leading to massive #protests from local farmers.
"The conversion of agricultural land to #IndustrialUse has long-term implications for #FoodSecurity. As India’s population continues to grow, the loss of productive #farmland could exacerbate food shortage issues in the future. Moreover, agricultural land often has better soil quality and water retention capacity compared to industrial land, making this conversion environmentally costly.
"Industrial activities within SEZs generate various forms of #pollution. Air pollution from #manufacturing processes, water #contamination from industrial effluents, and #SoilDegradation from chemical usage are common problems. The concentration of industries in SEZs can create pollution hotspots that affect air and water quality in surrounding areas.
"#WaterScarcity is another critical issue. SEZs require substantial water resources for industrial processes, often competing with local communities for this precious resource. In water-stressed regions, this competition can lead to conflicts and further environmental degradation.
Human rights and social displacement"The human cost of SEZ development cannot be overlooked. Land acquisition for SEZs often involves displacing local communities, particularly small farmers and agricultural workers. These communities frequently receive inadequate compensation and struggle to find alternative livelihoods.
"The displacement process can be traumatic for local communities who have strong cultural and emotional ties to their land. Traditional occupations like #farming, #fishing, and #SmallScaleTrading are disrupted, forcing people to adapt to entirely new economic realities. The promised employment opportunities in SEZs often don’t materialize for displaced communities, as they may lack the required skills for industrial jobs.
"Women in these communities face particular challenges, as they often have limited access to alternative employment opportunities and may lose traditional income sources like kitchen gardening or small-scale agricultural activities. The social fabric of rural communities can be severely disrupted, leading to increased poverty and social inequality."
#HumanRights #HumanRightsFreeZone #CorporateColonialism
#IMFLoanSharks #Exploitation #WorldBank #RaceToTheBottom
#HumanRightsViolations
#Pollution #EnvironmentalDegradation
#EconomicSacrificZones
#ForcedRelocation #ForcedDisplacement #TraditionalLifestyles #EnvironmentalRacism #Exploitation
#CorporateColonialism -
#megacities #cities #water #waterscarcity #drought
Original open access article
Ravinandrasana & Franzke, 23 Sept. 2025, Nat Commun 16, 8281
The first emergence of unprecedented global water scarcity in the Anthropocene
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63784-6
#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #globalHeating #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis
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#FYI #PaulBeckwith video lecture and literature review #megacities #cities #water #waterscarcity
"2025 #Tehran, #Iran, 20 million people in area, is only one month away from #zerowater (taps running dry), reservoirs 5% capacity, sixth year of worst #drought in 60 years, may force move of capital"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YABotGcsz90
#climate #ClimateScience #climatechange #ClimateEmergency #ClimateCrisis #ClimateBreakdown #ClimateDisruption #globalWarming #globalHeating #ExtremeWeather #polycrisis
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“ #Waterscarcity is already an increasing risk, and even more pressures are growing. Donald Trump has called #Canada a “very large faucet” that could be used to mitigate water shortages in the United States. And companies like Bell Canada are looking to open artificial intelligence (#AI) data centres, which guzzle an incredible amount of drinking water, sometimes millions of litres in a single day for large centres.
Canadians may be surprised to hear they have no enshrined right to clean water”
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This from a Belgian article about England should concern us greatly, especially considering the private water companies we have.
"A water shortage of "national importance" affects England: "The current situation is crucial"
The water shortage in England has been classified as "of national importance", as the country has experienced the driest first six months of the year since 1976, the Environment Agency (EA) said on Tuesday."
