Ironically, for a planet that over 70% of it’s surface is covered by water, water is becoming quite a commodity. While it may be true that the black gold of 20th century is being phased out, the new liquid gold, it appears, is Blue Gold aka water. According to an article published in USA Today, “More than half of humanity will be living with water shortages, depleted fisheries and polluted coastlines within 50 years because of a worldwide water crisis.”
In attempt to stay ahead of the market the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology has created a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering – Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. This program “involves fields in which Israeli technology achieved a leading place world-wide” the university describes, “The water industry in Israel is one of the most advanced and complex systems in the world.”
The Technion is known for it’s technological excellence and innovation. We have already mentioned one of their professor’s Energy Tower and their green innovation in architecture. We think that it is wonderful this university, which attracts some of the brightest scientifically geared minds in Israel, is focusing on training the next generation of scientists for dealing with this upcoming potential crisis.
We think that, for them, it’s a win-win situation. The Technion is positioning itself in this growing world-market as a leader and innovator. It is crucial that we come up with viable solutions for the growing crisis of useable water becoming less and less available. As we have seen with the energy rush of the 20th century, the people who were able to provide, came out way ahead. Oil Barons, look out! A new type of mogul will be emerging, the Water mogul.
I heard that a water ban – on watering public & private gardens, and even in creating new gardens this year, will be announced this week. Any news on this?
Thanks Jo!
I am shocked and appalled over Israel’s water shortage… I actually had trouble sleeping when I first heard about it. If you look at my greenyourselfdaily column I have several posts about conservation. We are always up for hearing about new projects. Please feel free to contact up about anything you think might interest us!
-Jack Reichert
Hi Jack,
I was proud and delighted to read your January 08 article about water in Israel. As you noted in your article, the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology is at the center of much of this innovation. The Stephen and Nancy Grand Water Research Institute at the Technion is responsible for turning out world class research. Did you know that Israel is facing one of its most severe water shortages? I read about this at the Blumenstein Family Information Center at the Technion. Four consecutive dry winters have left Israel’s reservoirs at a ten-year low and reduced the Sea of Galilee to its lowest level in 46 years. The country’s groundwater, including the western aquifer which it shares with the Palestinians, is also at a dangerously low level. The Israeli Water Authority intends to introduce new regulations restricting water consumption by limiting the watering of lawns and prohibiting the construction of new public and private gardens. The Technion takes on world problems with cutting edge solutions. 70 percent of the Israeli companies traded on Nasdaq are managed by Technion graduates. Technion professors have led the world in biotech innovations. For example, Rafi Beyar patented the first cardiac stent. Lior Gepstein has created living heart tissue, and Karl Skorecki has created insulin-producing pancreatic tissue — both from human embryonic stem cells. Israel’s only Nobel scientists, Technion professors Avram Hershko and Aaron Chiechanover, have found the cause of cancer. I look forward to reading your columns in the future.
Jo Strausz Rosen
Director, Detroit American Technion Society
East Central Region