Future of water || Future of You
I grew up in different parts of the world. It was because of my father’s work. He worked on assignments with the United Nations and that got him and us travelling.
Before you think these were glamorous locations and an elite life that I led, let me set you straight. My father was part of the United Nations Development Programme. This was the arm that helped nations develop which meant they were developing countries.
My father’s speciality was drainage and irrigation, he dealt with water and this meant addressing either flooding or drought problems for developing countries.
The first long-term posting was to New Delhi, India where my father was responsible for flood mitigation for the Bay of Bengal.
We lived in a lovely neighbourhood in New Delhi. Everything was fun and new for me, but one thing stood out – water was not available, on tap, 24/7.
This was in the mid-70s and meeting water demands of a growing population was already a stretch for India back then. We managed well but I remember having to be always prepared in case our taps ran dry.
The next long-term posting for my father was to Kura, Nigeria. A little village 35 km south of Kano in the North of Nigeria. It was dry and arid and my father’s assignment was to oversee the building of irrigation canals for the local farmers.
We lived within a small camp there with no proper water supply! We relied on water from a borehole which kept running dry. Water was always scarce. I remember not having water flow through our taps for days. We would have to go to other settlements nearby to have a shower.
It was inconvenient but we managed. I learnt to manage with less and it became a way of life whilst in Nigeria and for my future where water was concerned.
The future of water and my relationship with it.
It is a well-known fact that the demand for water in the future is projected to grow based on global population increase and manufacturing demands.
Water demand is projected to grow by 55 percent by 2050 (including a 400-percent rise in manufacturing water demand). By 2050, 1 in 5 developing countries will face water shortages (UN's Food and Agriculture Organization). Source Seametrics.
There is also the counter-argument that we have enough water, but we just waste too much of it.
I believe that the reality sits somewhere in between. We will face water shortages because of increased demand AND wastage.
I treat water as a precious commodity ever since my early experience. Even though I subsequently went to live in countries where water was abundant, I used and still use it economically. Water wastage is my pet peeve.
The future of YOU
It is as if my early life taught me the value of water and prepared me for my future. Because in some of the activities I do now, I sometimes go without a shower for at least a couple of days (sometimes more) because of the lack of a water source.
It is what it is, and I make the most of the situation. When I eventually get to a water source, I appreciate every drop!
And I believe this applies to us and our resources.
In trying to predict our future, just like water, our resources are what will matter. By our resources, I mean our cognitive, physiological, emotional, and other capabilities. Fine-tuning them now so that you are ready for your future.
Where might demand exceed supply in the future and how can you prepare for it now?
Where might you be wasting certain precious resources now?
The answers to these questions may not be as hard as you think. Some answers you already know and others may need a bit more of a dive.
Either way, the choice on how you navigate your future is yours!
I am here to help!