Demand is skyrocketing but supply is diminishing.
Europe just had its most severe drought in 500 years.
Experts predict that global freshwaterdemandwill outstrip supply by 40% by the end of this decade.
Unfortunately, water tech still receives a small fraction of the total climate tech funding.
Out of some 50bninvestedin climate tech globally in 2021, just 430m less than 1% wasallocatedfor water tech.
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Shockingly, up to half of this water islostdue to leaky pipes.
Another big chunk is lost due to inefficient use, and in most countries, water is never reused.
But as water scarcity increases, so does the need to start doing more with less.
One company catering to an up-and-coming segment of water-conscious homeowners is Sweden-based Orbital Systems.
But you dont necessarily need hardware to cut water use.
Shayp is one of many emerging startups harnessing the power ofdatato help industry and society manage water more sustainably.
Constellr launched its firstsatelliteinto space last year.
It’s concerning@elonmuskon@billmaherthinks “there’s plenty of water”, desalination will fix everything.
And as for desalination being absurdly cheap?
Desolenator, hailing from the Netherlands, has been working on this kind of tech for almost 10 years.
Desolenator launched its first fully operational solar thermaldesalinationplant in Dubai last year.
Back in Europe, things are a little bit more sluggish.
Five companies have entered the accelerator since it started in 2020.
The programme aims to expand this pool to between 25 to 40 companies and make them European champions.
Its about looking at the water in a different way, says Robinson.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
