The 2050 Water Deadline: Are We Already Too Late?

Water shortages are here. By 2050 – which is not too far off, and we should be thinking about it now – more than half the world's population will live in areas where water is a precious and often scarce resource. Climate change, population growth, and our water management systems are not meeting the needs of many communities right now. 

The 2050 Water Crisis: What Does It Really Mean? 

The water crisis of 2050 is not a distant event on the horizon, it is already a reality in some form. Global water demand will increase by 55% relative to the global population and other causes of demand, specifically from industry. Climate change is altering rain patterns—some areas have drought and other areas have flooding—even local access to fresh water is inequitable in various regions. Areas that utilize glaciers or underground aquifers are experiencing those water supplies dwindling. Lakes and rivers will shrivel or become unusable because they become too polluted. This is a lot to take in. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the problem. 

We still have time to act. And there are solutions out there that really can make a difference. 

The Conventional Approach: Is It Sufficient?  

Traditionally, humanity depends on rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers for water supplies.  These systems are vital but costly, and not sustainable enough. Now, with the world's growth, water needs are going to exceed supply in even more places. All of this is complicated by the fact that treating and delivering fresh water is expensive, complicated, and very inefficient. 

However, while promising, this alone will not deal with the water crisis. Freshwater desalination is energy-intensive and often interacts with marine life ecosystems, all of this adds another layer of stress to an already vulnerable habitat. So, what is to be done to help fix this growing crisis, to not simply buy us some time, but give us sustainable, scalable solutions? 

Innovative Solutions: Is There Hope? 

Despite the severity of the circumstances, we are witnessing innovation with technology and sustainability. One of the most exciting solutions comes from an unexpected source: the air. Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) systems are changing access to water systems, particularly for areas with limited freshwater. AWG utilizes the relative humidity in the atmosphere and condenses it providing drinkable water. 

One example of how technology is improving access to potable water is all of the work being done with the Teva7 technology and product systems created by Oxydus. Teva7's AWG systems are being utilized to provide clean, potable water in areas that otherwise would not have access to any traditional treatment and conveying systems through harvesting moisture from the abundant air resource. 

The Path Forward: What You Can Do 

We feel small in the face of a big crisis. But those small acts - when added up - can be significant. That's where companies like Oxydus come in. By supporting those who put sustainable practices first, we can start to steer our communities in the right direction. Innovations like Teva7 make communities more resilient to water scarcity.  

And that's exactly what we need: solutions that conserve water, promote efficiency, get clean, safe water to everyone—wherever they live. Investing in the right innovations means investing in the future. And the future is generations to come. We need solutions that ensure everyone has access to that future. 

A Call to Action: The 2050 Deadline Is Real, but Hope Is Not Gone 

We have the knowledge, resources, and will change. It’s not about waiting until we know the exact time to act. It's about acting now. If we embrace new technologies, invest in sustainability, and reinvent the way we use water to ultimately create a future of water for all, we can achieve that by 2050. 

We don't have to face a water crisis then. We can celebrate something in our progress towards a world that is more sustainable and equitable. That's a future we can all work toward together. We can protect water. We can protect our planet. And we can give future generations a fighting chance. 

Start small. Think big. And stay committed to that goal.