The Weekly Dive #20
To celebrate International Women's Day, we are highlighting 5 women using technology to protect the planet. The world's first floating wind prototype produces its first kWh and the world's first artificial energy island is being built in the North Sea. PepsiCo faces $4.4B of climate risk per year, according to think tank. Biden administration announces plan to protect water plants from cyberattacks. Quantum dots are the latest water disinfection technique. A new water purification membrane can generate electricity as it filters. This week, we are highlighting Dr Peter Williams, one of HydroDAO's key advisors. Learn about his impressive background and why he is passionate about water.
Your weekly Bonus - A historic deal to protect international waters has finally been reached!
This week's quote:
All the water that will ever be and ever was, is here right now.
Join Us in NYC for the UN Water Conference!
Meet Stuart and the Water Emissaries on March 22-24 in NYC at the UN Water Conference
We will also announce the launch of our youth leadership and education group WaterCorps during a side event at the Blue Gallery, 222 E 46th St., on Thursday, March 23rd between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It will include a multi age panel discussing the importance of intergenerational collaboration and mentorship advocating for water and climate change initiatives. Let us know you can join us to send you a formal invite.
What's New with Water Innovations?
These women are using technology to protect the planet
To mark International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting five past Champions leading the technological charge against some of the planet’s biggest environmental threats.
World's first-ever artificial energy island to be built in the North Sea
Located 28 miles off the coast, it will host infrastructure to connect to offshore wind farms.
World's first floating wind prototype with TLP system produces first kWh
It reduces environmental footprint and improves compatibility with other sea uses.
SepPure’s nanofilters massively reduce energy cost of industrial separation
SepPure's approach has attracted $12 million in a new funding round.
What's New in the Industry?
PepsiCo faces $4.4bn of climate risk per year, ‘unclear’ it will meet 2040 climate goals, says think tank
Planet Tracker attributes this risk to PepsiCo’s current emissions reduction trajectory, which is set to decline slower than the 45% reduction recommended by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Cleveland Water Alliance launches initiative to fund water technology
The fund was created to address water stress in the region according to the press release.
SOURCE Global Acquires Proud Source Water
This creates a new standard -- renewable water sourced from the air and delivered in recyclable packaging.
Biden Administration Announces Plan to Stop Water Plant Hacks
This comes one day after the release of a national cybersecurity strategy by the White House.
What's New in the Science?
Quantum Dots Offer Efficient Drinking Water Disinfection
When irradiated with near-infrared light, they kill bacteria in water with high efficiency through synergistic effects.
The Latest Technology Can Help Better Understanding PFAS
How the latest tools and techniques are being used to protect waterways.
Water purification membrane generates electricity as it filters
The membrane actually generates electricity as it turns wastewater, seawater or groundwater into drinking water.
Detecting and catching microplastics in our tap water using light
Researchers have revealed a new way of detecting and catching microplastics in water.
Dr Peter Williams has over 35 years of experience in helping businesses and governments adapt to and make the most of new technology. By background a strategy and process consultant, he was formerly the CTO of IBM's "Big Green Innovations" unit, Peter played a major role in the development of IBM's "smarter planet" businesses in the areas of environmental management, water management, smart cities and disaster resilience. In focusing on disaster resilience, he was the lead author of the UN City Disaster Resilience Scorecard, now used by over 350 cities globally.
Having retired from IBM in 2018, Peter now leads the US Network of ARISE, the UN DRR's vehicle for enabling public-private collaboration in disaster risk reduction. Peter was accorded the honor of being named an IBM Distinguished Engineer in 2009. Peter has lectured at Stanford University for several years on Smart Cities and Communities. In addition to leading ARISE, he is an independent consultant working on the application of information and data technologies to water, smart cities and disaster resilience with governments, vendors and NGOs. Peter is a regular judge on VC competitions and advises several innovative water start-ups.
Thank you Peter for your work and leadership improving water management around the planet and for your support to our HydroDAO community. We are also grateful for your active participation on our Discord server (which can be joined here).
What's in the Future?
High seas treaty: historic deal to protect international waters finally reached at UN
After almost 20 years of talks, United Nations member states agree on legal framework for parts of the ocean outside national boundaries.
