The global water crisis: 2.1 billion people without water and innovative solutions
Throughout history, fresh water has been the cradle of the greatest human civilizations, with stability and development inextricably linked to abundant water resources. However, the global landscape is undergoing a radical transformation. Raising awareness of the vital importance of fresh water as a lifeline is no longer a choice, but an absolute necessity to address the water scarcity . This critical crisis deprives approximately 2.1 billion people worldwide of access to safe drinking water , compelling the international community to prioritize the sustainable management of water resources and to seek innovative technological solutions that guarantee a secure future for generations to come.
Najoud Al-Harbi, researcher at the Faculty of Marine Sciences at King Abdulaziz University
The impact of climate change and increased evaporation rates
In a related context, Najoud Al-Harbi, a researcher at the Faculty of Marine Sciences at King Abdulaziz University, explained on the occasion of World Water Day that the sustainability of water resources faces a fundamental challenge: the disruption of the water cycle due to climate change . She pointed out that rising global temperatures lead to increased evaporation and disrupted precipitation patterns, resulting in heavy rainfall over short periods followed by longer droughts. Furthermore, the melting of ice and rising sea levels contribute to the reduction of freshwater reserves.
This situation is exacerbated by the increasing risks of floods and droughts and the intensification of extreme weather events, according to reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This environmental threat jeopardizes food and health security, making "water security" a central focus of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.
Local challenges and reliance on expensive resources
Regionally and locally, the Middle East is one of the world's driest regions. The challenges are particularly acute in Saudi Arabia due to limited renewable water resources and the rapid depletion of groundwater. Consequently, the Kingdom relies heavily on desalination, which accounts for approximately 60% of its domestic water supply. While Saudi Arabia is a leader in this field, these processes are associated with high energy and transportation costs and have a significant environmental impact.
Al-Harbi believes that these challenges are compounded in the agricultural sector, where high temperatures and dry winds lead to increased evaporation and transpiration rates in plants, which raises the water needs of crops, increases pressure on water resources, and pushes towards reliance on sources that may be costly and unsustainable in the long term.
The revolution of modern technologies: extracting water from the air
To address these challenges, the researcher reviewed the role of modern technologies and innovations in water desalination and recycling. Among the most prominent of these developments are reverse osmosis (RO) technologies and advanced membranes that increase separation efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Photocatalysis techniques, using nanomaterials, are also employed to treat organic pollutants using solar energy.
Among the revolutionary innovations on the horizon are advanced porous materials (MOFs) developed by the renowned scientist Professor Omar Yaghi. This technology allows for the direct extraction of water from the air, even in arid environments, with the potential to produce up to 1,000 liters per day without the need for electricity, representing a lifeline for remote and arid regions.
Smart farming technologies and water and energy integration
Innovations are also focused on maximizing the utilization of brine and extracting minerals from it. In the field of sustainable smart agriculture, Terraxy has developed innovative materials such as CarboSoil, which enhances soil water capacity, and SandX, a covering layer that reduces evaporation loss by up to 80% using sand granules coated with a biodegradable layer.
Within the framework of water and energy integration, "green hydrogen" stands out as a strategic solution for decarbonizing the desalination sector, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of adopting it as an alternative to traditional energy sources. Projections indicate that hydrogen demand could reach 21% of global energy consumption by 2050.
The culture of rational consumption: a religious and societal responsibility
Al-Harbi concluded by emphasizing that technology alone is insufficient; a culture of water conservation must be fostered. This begins with raising awareness of water's importance and scarcity, and adopting conscious daily practices such as repairing leaks and using water-saving devices. The impact of this approach is amplified when linked to religious values, as Islam calls for preserving blessings and avoiding waste, in accordance with the verse: {And do not be wasteful}, and the Prophet's saying: “Do not waste water, even if you are by a flowing river.”.
Conserving water is a shared responsibility that begins with the family, especially the mother’s role in instilling these values in her children, and extends to educational and research institutions, all the way to strict government legislation that prevents water pollution and the deterioration of ecosystems, to ensure the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
