Solar-powered technology converts saltwater into drinking water emission-free
Summary
In a paper published today in Nature Water, researchers show that the process is more than 20% cheaper than traditional methods and can be deployed in rural locations around the globe. In the global rural population 1.6 billion people face water scarcity, many of whom are reliant on stressed reserves of groundwater lying beneath the Earth’s surface. Dr He said: “Fresh water for irrigation is a large problem in across the globe, including North America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Drought and cost are major draws on an industry which relies on unstable reserves of water to survive, and climate change will further exacerbate these challenges. “By providing a sustainable way for farmers to produce freshwater for irrigation at a cut price without its volume being compromised, we can help them reduce costs, mitigate carbon emissions, and ensure agriculture production and eventually pass those benefits onto consumers.