Epic. One word to summarize last week where I had the opportunity to attend, network, and speak at World Water Week. For water enthusiasts, this event is like the Academy Awards. Leo DiCaprio wasn’t there but I got the chance to meet other water celebrities such as Mina Guli, the founder of Run Blue and Greg Koch, the former water lead at Coca-Cola.
With over 15,000 attendees representing nearly every country attending in Sweden or virtually, this is the largest gathering of the brightest minds in the water industry. The event was teeming with water experts and corporations at the forefront of the water movement including ABinBev, Coca-Cola, and Danone.
One of the most enlightening aspects of the week was witnessing the convergence of diverse perspectives around common themes. We dove into topics like climate-resilient water management, equitable access to clean water, and the growing urgency of safeguarding our water resources. The resounding lesson? Collaboration is key. It's not just about preserving water; it's about co-creating a sustainable future together.
I also had the amazing privilege to join a panel hosted by The Nature Conservancy with Google, Microsoft, and Wavin on their roles in leveraging data and technology to revolutionize the water space. Google shared the different ways they’re leveraging machine learning to forecast where and when floods may occur up to 7-days before it happens. Microsoft shared their efforts to help recover the 30% of global water volume that’s lost from leaks through AI sensors that could quickly identify and validate repairs. Wavin shared a mutual case study with Waterplan where we mitigated several water risks at a manufacturing site and proposed inside-the-fence (rainwater storage tank) and outside-the-fence (rainwater harvesting) solutions to prevent production interruptions. Check out the full talk below!
As the curtains drew on the event, I was filled with an invigorating sense of purpose. The stories shared, the connections forged, and the knowledge gained all coalesced into a call to action. We must champion change at every level – from the boardrooms to the community wells.
Here's my call to action for you: let's transform this inspiration into action.
Whether you're a water expert, a technology enthusiast, or simply someone who cares, there's a role for you in this journey. Let's propel the water conservation movement forward and leverage technology to scale our efforts. We’re all in this together.
