Suntory Beverage & Food, teaming up with Nippon Koei and the University of Tokyo's School of Engineering, has unveiled the Water Security Compass, a groundbreaking online platform aimed at assessing and tackling looming water scarcity risks. This initiative is timely: as global water shortages become more pronounced, especially due to climate change, the need for effective solutions has never been greater.
With demand for water soaring and supply dwindling, the stakes are high. The World Resources Institute reports alarming trends, predicting the potential for 3.5 billion people to experience water shortages by 2025. Countries around the globe are grappling with serious water-related challenges, necessitating innovative approaches to manage resources more sustainably.
The Water Security Compass, as claimed by its creators, is the first of its kind—a data-driven platform equipped with tools to help businesses and governments assess community water risks and establish relevant targets. The platform provides users with hard data on water availability and potential risks, which can aid them in implementing appropriate measures to adapt and safeguard their water resources.
According to Suntory, the platform features models and simulation technologies, allowing users to make predictions about future water trends. “By sharing data with businesses and communities, the Water Security Compass will enable organizations to develop strategies for sustainable water management,” said the company's representatives.
This announcement follows other recent initiatives aimed at addressing water scarcity through data and community engagement. Experts underline the necessity for sophisticated frameworks for managing water resources effectively, echoing the sentiment expressed by environmental advocates and researchers alike. Collaborations like this provide much-needed momentum for tackling water security globally.
Meanwhile, as communities face the reality of shrinking water supplies, they are also exploring agricultural practices resilient to climate change. Foods like fonio and millet have emerged as candidates for cultivation, thriving even under adverse conditions. Chef Pierre Thiam, who hails from Senegal, has been advocating for these grains due to their hardiness and nutritional benefits. Fonio, he explains, is particularly appealing because it can flourish where many other crops fail.
While millets have been staples within African diets for centuries, their acceptance has been slow outside traditional markets. “It’s very versatile,” says Thiam, emphasizing fonio’s fluffy texture and mild, nutty flavor. Yet, to increase its presence on global plates, more consumers must become acquainted with how to prepare and utilize these grains.
Despite their ancient roots and myriad advantages, millets face obstacles on the road to commercial viability. Jonathon Landeck from the North American Millets Alliance mentions the complex processing involved, which can discourage farmers from embracing these crops. Without the proper machinery and resources, processing millet effectively remains labor-intensive.
Supporting the transition to sustainable agriculture, the U.S. government has begun funding initiatives aimed at promoting millet cultivation, including the recent allocation of $4 million to Zego, which focuses on boosting domestic processing and consumption of organic millet. Such measures are encouraging, but experts argue it is just the start of what is needed to create the necessary market demand.
The International Year of Millets—declared by the UN for 2023—aims to spotlight these grains as climate-resilient food sources. Despite their low water needs and adaptability, the agricultural sector hasn’t fully embraced millets. “There’s significant opportunity to improve our food system by prioritizing crops like fonio,” says chemist Amrita Hazra, echoing the need for substantial investment and attention toward millet cultivation.
Meanwhile, the emergence of data platforms reflects the broader trend of utilizing technology to address environmental challenges. Just as the Water Security Compass aims to empower communities with actionable data, the move to reinvigorate ancient crops also demonstrates how integrating old wisdom and modern science could guide future food production.
Thiam remains optimistic about fonio's future, believing there’s potential to not only boost its market presence but also create opportunities for smallholder farmers who have cultivated fonio for generations. By raising awareness and encouraging those who currently overlook such crops, it’s possible to instigate wider acceptance and appreciation.
Given the combination of pressing water issues and shifting climate patterns, the introduction of innovative platforms and the revival of resilient food sources like fonio and millet represent steps forward. Tackling these challenges head-on will require investments, collaborative efforts, and changing perceptions about what constitutes sustainable agriculture. Without proactive measures, the risk of food scarcity looms larger as climate change continues to impact our resources.
